During a recent government meeting, officials raised concerns about the increasing demand for water and electricity from new industries, particularly cryptocurrency and chip manufacturing. The discussions highlighted the potential strain these sectors could place on local resources, emphasizing the need for monitoring and regulation as companies move into the area.

One official pointed out that cryptocurrency operations are not necessarily profitable through their core business but instead capitalize on purchasing electricity at lower rates, storing it, and reselling it back to the grid for profit. This practice has raised alarms about the lack of oversight on such activities, prompting calls for a more structured approach to permitting and regulation for these facilities.

The conversation also touched on the necessity of enhancing local water infrastructure, with suggestions to collaborate with the Council of Governments (COG) and the Corps of Engineers to explore the possibility of constructing a new lake to support water supply needs. While there are existing legislative measures to finance water treatment plants, officials noted that no current bills specifically address the creation of new water sources.

The meeting underscored the importance of establishing a legislative committee to address these pressing issues, with representatives from 14 counties working together to advocate for necessary resources and infrastructure improvements. The collaboration aims to ensure that local governments are prepared to manage the challenges posed by the influx of new industries while safeguarding essential water and electricity supplies for the community.