Cave City citizens push back on cryptomine being built in their town

CAVE CITY, Ark. (KATV) — Cave Metropolis is buzzing with stress as Artemis Applied sciences plans to ascertain a crypto mine within the space. A latest assembly between locals and the corporate turned heated, with residents expressing sturdy opposition to the challenge.

“Solely cause you got here to Arkansas since you assume we’re a bunch of dumb children,” one native mentioned, reflecting the neighborhood’s skepticism. The assembly was held in response to Artemis Applied sciences breaking floor on a three-acre web site for a Bitcoin information heart, which can additionally function a knowledge heart for AI.

State Consultant Bart Schulz mentioned, “Early when crypto mines first began coming to Arkansas, it was, it was form of the Wild West, they usually had been simply constructing these massive, air-cooled monsters that simply they gave the impression of a jet airplane. We have labored arduous within the legislature to cease that.”

Artemis Applied sciences, which is American-owned and intently related to the Arkansas Blockchain Council, goals to handle neighborhood issues. “We perceive everybody’s issues and questions,” Watt Stephens, Chief Business Officer at Artemis Applied sciences mentioned. “We wish to present individuals we’re actual and we care about their communities.”

Regardless of assurances of sound mitigation measures for the indoor facility, neither Artemis nor Entergy representatives disclosed the facility necessities for the crypto mine. This lack of transparency has fueled native apprehension.

Sharp County decide, Mark Counts, voiced his disapproval, stating, “I informed them that I did not need crypto mining in Sharp County. By no means did need crypto mining, and by no means will need it.”

The sentiment amongst Cave Metropolis residents was clear: “Simply go away and do not come here’s what we’re making an attempt to say,” one native mentioned, capturing the neighborhood’s resistance to the proposed crypto mine. “We do not need you.”