Project Bluegrass

Burgin, Mercer County, KY

Panattoni has announced Project Bluegrass, a data center project in Burgin, KY. Panattoni, a national developer, wants to build a massive hyperscale data center on farmland it would annex into Burgin (Mercer County) -- over 1,000 acres, which would double the city's size, so it sits outside county zoning. Burgin City Council voted 3-2 (Jul 2026) to advance the annexation to a first reading, then delayed a final vote pending Panattoni making its case; no vote yet as of Aug 2026. Mercer County itself passed a one-year moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas, which does not cover Burgin. The county Planning & Zoning Commission separately advanced (unanimous, Jul 30) an ordinance that would still allow a data center near the county power plant. Sustained, large, bipartisan opposition -- ~200 turned out to hearings; the grassroots group 'We Are Mercer County' has 1,000+ Facebook members and a Change.org petition. Panattoni did not respond to an interview request.