Overview
- A secretly recorded video that surfaced Thursday shows Mayor Scott Furgeson saying he sees anti‑data‑center signs mostly in “sh***y houses” and calling many homes rentals, a remark that residents called insulting.
- The mayor’s office issued a statement saying he regrets his choice of words and that he meant to refer to property upkeep rather than anyone’s value or character.
- The data center plan for 429 acres and 11 buildings was advanced by the Shelbyville city council in April despite a petition signed by more than 2,000 residents opposing the project.
- Local opponents say the mayor’s comments deepen distrust of city leaders and energize organized resistance that could affect upcoming permitting votes and public hearings.
- The dispute feeds into a national debate over large AI and cloud data centers and their local impact on electricity, water and utility costs as industry and federal actors weigh infrastructure plans.