Resolution to allow crypto mine fails in Hawkins County Commission

ROGERSVILLE — A resolution to allow ExoticRidge Crypto Company to operate in Bulls Gap failed to make it onto the floor at the Hawkins County Board of Commissioner's meeting Monday night. When Commissioner Larry Clonce presented the resolution, no one seconded the motion. It died without formal discussion. This upholds a Sept. 22 ban on cryptocurrency mines and data centers spurred by public outcry against ExoticRidge. The commission used the County Powers Act to enact the ban. However, County Mayor Mark DeWitte has said this was beyond their power, and banning one type of industry opens the door to legal challenges. The proposed settlement agreement was an attempt to avoid a lawsuit with ExoticRidge while also placing the company under noise restrictions. ExoticRidge CEO Will Daugherty told the Kingsport Times News in a written statement that he was disappointed in the commission's inaction and subsequent rejection of the settlement. "Our legal rights under Tennessee law are not altered by tonight's vote," Daugherty said. "We will consider our next steps carefully, including almost certain litigation." Other updates The commission reallocated $1 million meant to repair the Goshen Valley Bridge, as the Tennessee Department of Transportation agreed to pay for its replacement. In last week's budget committee meeting, Road Superintendent Danny Jones said the $1 million should cover the repairs for four or five other bridges in the county. The highway department would start with two bridges in Surgoinsville that have been closed, he said, affecting a few houses each. Jones said there are 18 more bridges TDOT deemed in poor to failing condition, and work has been delayed by this $1 million sitting unused. The commission authorized the mayor's office to apply for a grant concerning building hangars at the county airport. The grant, from the TDOT Aeronautics Division, would be for engineering services and site preparation costing around $80,711. If the county receives the grant, the state requires a 5% match. At an airport committee meeting in January, DeWitte said the hangars will be filled by interested pilots as soon as they're built and make the airport profitable. Any income from the airport would be spent on airport operations.