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It appears the debate between ExoticRidge, a crypto currency company with land off State Route 66 in Bulls Gap, and the Hawkins County Commission is heading to court.

ExoticRidge bought the land – within 1,000 feet of several homes and a church – with the intention of developing a data center, commonly known as a crypto mine.

However, community protests followed and in September, the Hawkins County Commission banned crypto mines and data centers despite having no zoning regulations that would prevention such classification.

At that time, County Mayor Mark DeWitte indicated that ban exceeded the commission’s authority, saying the commission cannot ban one type of industry.

In late February, ExoticRidge and DeWitte again tried to get approval for a crypto mining facility with a proposed settlement that would keep the two entities out of court the but that motion failed for lack of a second.

Now, the long fight between the community and company will continue through legal litigation according to public statements made by Mayor Mark DeWitte and Exotic Ridge CEO and Founder William Daugherty.

At the February meeting, in a room filled mostly with those in opposition, a resolution was presented that would allow the ExoticRidge project to move forward.

More than 20 minutes of public comments preceded to County Commissioner Larry Clonce of District 6 presenting the proposed settlement resolution.

While he volunteered to present the resolution, Clonce said that he did not support it and was only doing so because he knew whoever presented it would be losing any chance at a further political career.

“And up here we have some great young men, that do a great job,” he said. “I don’t want them getting thrown out of office because this is such a hot issue, so I volunteered.”

The commission heard public comments which raised concerns from people who would live near the proposed data center and its affect on public health, especially in relation to constant noise pollution.

The proposed contract would leave ExoticRidge exempt from any future regulations made by the county.

It only addressed the first phase of development.

It did not leave a mechanism for the county to impede expansion.

However, in other public statement company representatives have indicated that the opportunity for expansion is limited because it will not be hooked up to the power grid, instead powered by an onsite ethane flare-off fueled generator.

The only enforcement arm given to the county in the contract – that did not include taking the company to court – would be a $50 fine for noise being over 80 dBA for more than 30 minutes over the course of four hours.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a 55 dBA outdoor limit and a 45dBA indoor limit.

“This isn’t about whether anyone here supports cryptocurrency,” said Daugherty. “It is about whether Hawkins County respects property rights, follows due process, and covers based on facts.”

When the resolution failed due to lack of a second, the attending crowd erupted in cheers.