Dozens of residents urged Young County commissioners on Wednesday to provide more information and broader public access to discussions about a proposed data center and a separate solar farm.

"I would ask that you not give abatements to this project and others like it," resident Kim Bergwell told the court, citing "limited water resources, our electricity usage, specific workforce needed" and concerns about environmental, noise and light impacts.

The audience asked where the projects stand and whether the county has already promised tax breaks. County officials said the data-center proposal is early: developers reportedly hold an option to purchase the land but have not completed final designs or named a tenant. County staff said Bridal Solar Farm has formally submitted a request for a tax settlement, but the document is being treated as a contract negotiation and is not yet public record.

County staff said the solar developer agreed to provide $20,000 to the county for consultant and legal assistance whether or not a deal is completed. "They have agreed no matter what, they're gonna pay us, dollars 20,000 to use for a consultant legal help," a county staff member said.

Residents asked that the public be allowed to attend site visits and to have county‑led town halls. The county confirmed a town hall on the solar farm is scheduled for next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Avaya School Volunteer Fire Department and said developers for the solar farm will attend. Officials said the data-center developer plans to host a public meeting at a later date.

Speakers worried about jobs, temporary workers and long-term local benefits. Amy Fry said she had been contacted by a data-center representative seeking temporary housing for "3 to 400 people temporarily placed," and asked whether those jobs would be local. County staff said developers estimate roughly "20 to 30 permanent jobs per campus" with salaries they described as between "$80,000 to $120,000" and said developers have indicated preferences for hiring and training local workers.

On land transactions, a resident asked whether the data center had purchased property. County staff said developers hold an option to purchase the land but "they don't own the land. They own an option to purchase that land" and that the county had not seen the sales contract.

County officials repeatedly emphasized that any tax-abatement or settlement negotiations would follow the county's public process, including a required public hearing before any abatement is finalized. The county also said it did not solicit the projects and denied receiving any personal financial benefit.

No formal action was taken on either project at the meeting. Commissioners and staff said they will continue outreach and that further public meetings will be scheduled as details become available.