MOUNTAIN CITY, Tn. — Members of the Mountain City and Johnson County community rallied at the board of mayor and alderman meeting in Mountain City over Nevada-based company, CleanSpark, wanting to establish a large-scale cryptocurrency mining operation in the area.
Before the meeting, protesters gathered in front of town hall, holding signs and a petition that has gained more than 1000 signatures.
Those opposed to this proposed bitcoin mine list several issues with the facility including noise pollution, environmental impacts and a decrease property values close to the facility.
Mayor Jerry Jordan says he visited a bitcoin mining facility over the weekend and he says, the noise was minimal.
“I’ve got neighbors, I’ve got close friends that don’t like this you know so I feel much better after visiting the plant that I can stand up and confirm that we are not going to have a noise issue,” he said.
Jordan also told News 5 he believes CleanSpark could be an asset to Mountain City.
“They want to be community partners, and they want to help this community,” Jordan said.
In the meeting, residents voiced their opposition to this potential facility like Juday Marshall who, along with her husband has been researching the company and Bitcoin mining.
“I understand the need and desire for viable employment a solid tax base etcetera. What I have seen of this company, it offers none of those,” Marshall said.
Candy Mulholland lives close to the proposed site.
She told News 5, she moved to Mountain City from Connecticut recently and she’s been around these Bitcoin mining facilities before. She’s concerned over their decision to be placed in the small town.
“I have met the CEOs of some of these companiesthese companies, habitually will look for poor economically depressed communities in order to press their agenda,” she said.
Mayor Jerry Jordan told News 5 he plans to offer residents transportation to a Bitcoin mine facility so they’re able to see them first-hand.
Jordan also told News 5 the board originally planned on voting to approve or disapprove of this facility later this month but seeing the distain from residents, the vote will be pushed into June.
