HARRISON, Ark. โ One month after a heated debate On the possible construction of a cryptocurrency facility in Harrison, city leaders have once again deferred a decision, this time to the city council.
What is generally known as a "cryptocurrency mine" is actually a building full of computer servers that run around the clock to generate digital currency like Bitcoin. Residents expressed concerns about safety, noise, and disruption to the rural landscape.
In fact, so many people showed up for the earlier meeting in April that the city moved its Planning Commission meeting Tuesday to a nearby campus to accommodate the anticipated crowds.
City leaders had originally planned to vote on the conditional use permit for the crypto facility at that April meeting, but tabled it for the May 23 meeting. Then, at the May 23 meeting, the leaders decided to defer the decision to a city council vote.
But Harrison residents won't have to wait as long between meetings this time. The City Council is expected to vote on whether to approve the permit on Thursday, May 25. The City Council meeting begins at 6 pm and has also moved to the Signature Bank Community Room in Harrison to prepare for another big presentation.
Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson told OzarksFirst.com reporters that the company behind the cryptocurrency facility bought 5 acres of land that they originally thought was located in the county. After further review, the city realized that the land is located within city limits, which means it now needs city approval before moving forward with any plans.
However, the mayor said the $600,000 investment in company land in the region will not factor into city leaders' decision to approve or deny the conditional use permit on Thursday.
