Support Regulations to Legally Prevent a Charleston Tennessee Data Storage Site

Recent signers:
Danyua Stephens and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

✊ CALL TO ACTION 

PETITION: Protect Charleston, TN —Support Regulations to Legally Prevent a Charleston Tennessee Data Storage Site

 

We, the residents of Charleston and surrounding areas in Bradley County, Tennessee, are calling on the Bradley County Commission and Planning Commission to take immediate, decisive action to protect our community from the proposed large-scale data storage facility at/near 251 Maddox Road.

 

Why we must act now:

This is not a locally driven project. International investors have already marketed the 251-acre site through Cushman & Wakefield as having “by-right” zoning for data center use and a 90-day fast-track permitting process. Because no formal application has been submitted yet, the new county-wide data center zoning regulations scheduled for public hearing on Monday, April 20, 2026, can — and must — be applied to this proposal and every future one.

Without these regulations, the project could move forward with minimal oversight, bringing:

•  24/7 industrial noise from massive cooling systems and diesel backup generators that never fully shut off.

•  Increased heavy truck traffic during construction and ongoing operations, raising safety risks on our rural roads.

•  Significant strain on local infrastructure — the power grid and water resources in this area are not designed for the enormous, constant demands of a modern data center.

•  Potential long-term changes to our serene, family-friendly rural character that has defined this community for generations.

While some economic studies show data centers can increase surrounding property values in certain contexts, many of us who live here remain deeply concerned about the net impact on quality of life, resale value, and the overall desirability of our neighborhoods. Our life savings and retirement plans are tied to these homes. We cannot afford to gamble with them.

What we are asking for is reasonable and responsible:

1.  Vote YES on the proposed new data center zoning regulations on April 20th. These carefully drafted rules will establish clear standards for noise, setbacks, screening, infrastructure capacity, environmental protections, and more — making inappropriate placements like 251 Maddox Road far more difficult or cost-prohibitive.

2.  Reject this specific project at 251 Maddox Road. Data centers may have a place but let's endeavor to make sure Bradley County, as we grow, do not destroy what makes our community great by brining them in at this location.

This is our moment. The Commission has already done the hard work of researching and drafting these protections. Now they need to hear from us — loud and clear — that we support strong, proactive zoning that puts residents first.

How you can help right now:

•  Sign the petition (link below) and share it widely.

•  Attend the public hearing on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Bradley County Commission Room. Your voice matters.

•  Contact your County Commissioners today — tell them you support a YES vote on the new zoning regulations.

•  Talk to your neighbors — many still don’t know this project is even on the table.

Together we can preserve the peace, safety, natural beauty, and quality of life that make Charleston and Bradley County special. Future generations are counting on us to get this right.

Sign here to stand with your neighbors → https://c.org/Rwz4PsZvwK

A YES vote on zoning = a clear message that Charleston comes first.

Let’s protect our community — together.

1,082

Recent signers:
Danyua Stephens and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

✊ CALL TO ACTION 

PETITION: Protect Charleston, TN —Support Regulations to Legally Prevent a Charleston Tennessee Data Storage Site

 

We, the residents of Charleston and surrounding areas in Bradley County, Tennessee, are calling on the Bradley County Commission and Planning Commission to take immediate, decisive action to protect our community from the proposed large-scale data storage facility at/near 251 Maddox Road.

 

Why we must act now:

This is not a locally driven project. International investors have already marketed the 251-acre site through Cushman & Wakefield as having “by-right” zoning for data center use and a 90-day fast-track permitting process. Because no formal application has been submitted yet, the new county-wide data center zoning regulations scheduled for public hearing on Monday, April 20, 2026, can — and must — be applied to this proposal and every future one.

Without these regulations, the project could move forward with minimal oversight, bringing:

•  24/7 industrial noise from massive cooling systems and diesel backup generators that never fully shut off.

•  Increased heavy truck traffic during construction and ongoing operations, raising safety risks on our rural roads.

•  Significant strain on local infrastructure — the power grid and water resources in this area are not designed for the enormous, constant demands of a modern data center.

•  Potential long-term changes to our serene, family-friendly rural character that has defined this community for generations.

While some economic studies show data centers can increase surrounding property values in certain contexts, many of us who live here remain deeply concerned about the net impact on quality of life, resale value, and the overall desirability of our neighborhoods. Our life savings and retirement plans are tied to these homes. We cannot afford to gamble with them.

What we are asking for is reasonable and responsible:

1.  Vote YES on the proposed new data center zoning regulations on April 20th. These carefully drafted rules will establish clear standards for noise, setbacks, screening, infrastructure capacity, environmental protections, and more — making inappropriate placements like 251 Maddox Road far more difficult or cost-prohibitive.

2.  Reject this specific project at 251 Maddox Road. Data centers may have a place but let's endeavor to make sure Bradley County, as we grow, do not destroy what makes our community great by brining them in at this location.

This is our moment. The Commission has already done the hard work of researching and drafting these protections. Now they need to hear from us — loud and clear — that we support strong, proactive zoning that puts residents first.

How you can help right now:

•  Sign the petition (link below) and share it widely.

•  Attend the public hearing on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Bradley County Commission Room. Your voice matters.

•  Contact your County Commissioners today — tell them you support a YES vote on the new zoning regulations.

•  Talk to your neighbors — many still don’t know this project is even on the table.

Together we can preserve the peace, safety, natural beauty, and quality of life that make Charleston and Bradley County special. Future generations are counting on us to get this right.

Sign here to stand with your neighbors → https://c.org/Rwz4PsZvwK

A YES vote on zoning = a clear message that Charleston comes first.

Let’s protect our community — together.

The Decision Makers

Bradley County Commission
12 Members
1 Responded
Tommy Ledford
Bradley County Commission - District 6, Seat B
Thanks for the email if you watch Monday's commission meeting. I think you will be pleased with the results of that meeting where we will be putting strict restrictions on any data center that wants to come here. I think these restrictions will deter them from wanting to come here. The meeting is this Monday, the 20th of April. [Note: The Change.org Civic Engagement Team reaches out to decision makers to let them know about petitions in their community and to help facilitate engagement with supporters. The above was an email response we received regarding this petition.]
Louie Alford
Bradley County Commission - District 2, Seat A
Thomas Crye
Bradley County Commission - District 2, Seat B
D. Davis
Bradley County Mayor

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates