By Dudley Evans –

Roane County commissioners voted during Monday night’s meeting to expand local restrictions, broadening a previously established data center moratorium to include cryptocurrency mining operations and battery storage facilities.

The update builds upon a two-year construction moratorium originally passed in July. Under the new resolution, any future data center developments will be strictly limited to M-2 industrial zones.

While county officials noted that no companies are currently seeking to build new data centers in the area, the proactive measures aim to establish clear guidelines and zoning requirements before potential developers approach the county with future proposals.