After initial reactions to this petition, I am updating to clarify some things for those who have signed or are considering signing.

• Platform Issues: This is my first time creating a petition, and I have learned a lot! Unfortunately, I fear I did not do my due diligence in finding the best platform for this sort of petition. I've now been made aware of many of this platform's pitfalls. I also realized after the fact that this website uses AI, which is contradictory to my beliefs and to the values associated with this petition. Now that I know more, I'll do better in the future! 
• Petition Recipients: I plan to deliver this petition on my own, not through change(.)org's automated feature. I didn't know that change(.)org would automatically populate the recipients. I was planning to send this directly to county commissioners myself, and possibly deliver physical copies if need be. I am editing the recipient list shown on the petition so that the right people are listed. This is a resolution for the Hamilton County Commission, NOT Chattanooga City Council (as this website inaccurately assumed). 
• Don't take my word for it: I urge you to watch the presentation and subsequent commissioner comments/discussion in order to form your own opinion and make your own judgment call.
• Is this actually a data center?: It has been pointed out to me by multiple critics of this petition that the size of this "data center" is more in line with a server room than a data center. Said critics don't think this venture should be conflated with an AI data center and therefore believe that the petition takes an alarmist tone. Well, I am alarmed no matter how you slice it. Though I'm delighted to hear that this "data center" may not be a data center at all, I am still concerned about the vague description given by Urban Story Ventures, that they advertised their data storage as an Oracle-run data center, and that they felt it necessary to distinguish the method of cooling technology used for this data center (HVAC vs. water). If they didn't want to alarm the public, they should not have associated their venture with data centers. The public still deserves the opportunity to ask questions.

I am keeping an eye on the status of this resolution and will do my best to share updates on when this might be added to the commission agenda or put to a vote.

Regardless of the outcome of this particular vote, I hope this petition spreads awareness that big tech companies have their eyes on Chattanooga as a future market. I also hope this initiates dialogue within our community about what our boundaries are going to be regarding the tech industry's inevitable push for growth and development in Gig City. It will creep up on us if we let it, and the earlier we set boundaries and voice our opinions the better.

I am a working mom who wanted to do something, but I can't do it all. I will do my best to share updates, but I hope this encourages our community to engage in this together! There is a local group that is also following this resolution, along with the county commission's work in general. You may consider following their social media for more background on the county commission or signing up to get involved at a deeper level. linktr.ee/HamiltonCountyforDemocracy

I welcome any and all (respectful, kind, constructive) feedback. :)

Sincerely,

Erikka