Harrison Chamber Statement on Green Digital
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Harrison, AR, May 2, 2023. Based on the public’s recent discussions regarding a proposed economic development project in Harrison, Jim Holland, Chair of the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, makes the following statement.
“Upon initial contact from Metahash Global in June 2022 requesting information on 54 acres of property listed for sale on the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s site selection website, the staff of the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce has acted with integrity in accordance with its mission. During subsequent discussions, from last year through this week, the Chamber simply acted as a connector with Metahash Global, Entergy, a local real estate company, a local contractor, and other local entities, independently selected by Metahash, now Green Digital, LLC. In December 2022, Green Digital joined the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce as an investor.
The Chamber in the past ten (10) months:
Did not promote or encourage Green Digital to buy property in Boone County
Has not provided any business information or consulting to Green Digital that any prospective business would otherwise not receive
Did weigh the economic benefit to the City of Harrison and Boone County from the proposed project’s estimated capital investment ($2,500,000), estimated annual salary impact ($180,000) and estimated annual sales and franchise tax receipts for the City and County ($400,000) against any validated noise or environmental concerns and found them to be acceptable
Has not engaged in any improper or illegal transactions with Green Digital or any other entity regarding this or any other economic development project
The Chamber’s mission ‘…to be recognized as the premier business organization influencing Harrison’s and the greater Boone County’s economic and business development through leadership, education, and investor partnerships’ is of utmost importance. Harrison has a collaborative environment for business, where the community works together for the future, and we welcome and value each business that chooses to invest in that economic future through the Chamber. We listen to our investors and respect their insight, and stand behind them for what’s best for the community.
Bob Largent, as Chamber President/CEO, has the full confidence of the Board of Directors to continue to lead the Chamber and its collaborative approach to economic growth for the Harrison-Boone County community.”
About the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce promotes the economic and business well-being of the greater Harrison and Boone County, Arkansas area. The investor-driven Chamber also recognizes, values and promotes the outstanding quality of life locally that encourages people to live, work, invest and retire in the area. For more information, please visit www.harrison-chamber.com.
Timeline of the Chamber’s engagement with Metahash Global/Green Digital, LLC:
2022, June, contacted by Gloria Yao, Metahash Global, regarding 54 acres listed on the AEDC site selector website. Connected her with the Entergy business development team.
June-July, 2022 Metahash and Entergy exchanged data; Metahash completed an application with Entergy requesting power. Ms Yao’s research indicated the AEDC-listed acreage was too far from the nearest sub-station, and researched Harrison real estate about property near Entergy’s Old Bellefonte Rd substation.
July 12th, at its regular meeting, Bob Largent apprised the Boone County Quorum Court of the potential economic investment by Metahash Global.
July 18th, Ms Yao elected to connect with a local realtor who identified two available 5-acre parcels for sale near the substation.
August 8th, Chamber met with Metahash officials; provided an overview/windshield tour of the community. Private meetings were held with the realtor and two landowners.
August 8th through 16th, negotiations occurred between Metahash and two landowners.
August 17th, agreement signed between Green Digital and property owner to purchase 5-acres by Oct 28th.
September 9th, Green Digital ‘in good standing’ with ARSecState, filing # 811392926.
October 28th, Public Service Commission had not acted on entergy-requested crypto mining tariff; property closing delayed.
November, Green Digital hired a local contractor for pre-construction services.
November 2022, property was purchased in Boone County adjacent to an entergy-owned power sub-station for a potential data center intended for crypto-currency mining. At the time, county parcel records and city mapping indicated that the property was located in unincorporated Boone County (outside of any city limits). (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
December 15th, Green Digital closed on the subject property in Boone County.
December 28th, Green Digital was approved as an investor in the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce.
2023, January 12th, Entergy, with the Public Service Commission tariff approval, granted Green Digital a 10 MW contract.
January, Green Digital hired the local contractor for facility build, and construction began in February.
March 7th & 8th, research identified an ordinance from 1999 (Ordinance No. 1181) that annexed the property into the City of Harrison. The annexation ordinance established zoning for the property to be I-1 Heavy Industrial. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
March 8th, the property owner and contractor for the proposed data center were notified that the property had been determined to be located within the City of Harrison’s jurisdiction. The contractor agreed to cease construction activities. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
March 9th, City representatives met with the contractor and a representative of the property owner to discuss City planning and zoning requirements as well as building code requirements. Specifically, the contractor was notified that a Conditional Use Permit (and associated Public Hearing) would be required per the City’s Zoning Code. Furthermore, the contractor was notified that a Large Scale Development review and approval would be required per the City’s Land Development Regulations. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
March 16th, House Bill 1654 was introduced by Rep. Aaron Pilkington and Sen. Jonathan Dismang to create an act to provide sales and use tax exemptions for data centers and for other purposes. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
March 30th, House Bill 1799 was introduced by Rep. Rick McClure and Sen. Joshua Bryant to create the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 4th, HB 1654 (Data Center Tax Exemption) Passes the Arkansas House 78-6. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 4th, HB 1799 (Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023) Passed the Arkansas House 88-2. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 4th, a Conditional Use Permit Application and a Large Scale Development Application for the proposed data center was submitted to the City of Harrison. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 6th, HB 1654 (Data Center Tax Exemption) Passes the Arkansas Senate 32-0. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 6th, HB 1799 (Amended Version) Passed the Arkansas Senate Unanimously 33-0. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 6th, HB 1799 (Amended Version) Passed the Arkansas House 93-1. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 11th, City of Harrison identified HB 1799 as applicable to property in Harrison. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 12th, the agenda for the April 25th Planning Commission Meeting was finalized including a public hearing, conditional use permit review, and large-scale development review for the proposed data center. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 13th, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed HB 1654 at which time it became Act 819. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 13th, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed HB 1799 at which time it became Act 851. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 14th, representatives from the City of Harrison Administration, Planning Commission, City Council, Fire Department, and Public Works along with other community members and press toured a facility in Newport, AR that is similar to the facility proposed in Harrison. During the tour, sound levels at the facility were tested and documented. The results of the testing will be made available to the public as the Conditional Use and Large Scale Development applications are reviewed. (See Harrison City Statement from April 21, 2023)
April 18th, Green Digital planned and hosted a public meeting at the Quality Inn Conference Center in Harrison to provide education and answer questions about the project.
April 25th, following community comments at a Public Hearing, the Harrison Planning & Zoning Commission, postponed action on Green Digital’s Conditional Use Permit to their regularly scheduled May meeting
