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Data center project · Simpson County, Kentucky

TenKey data center, Franklin (Project Lionsgate/Blackjack)

Proposed · A $5 billion campus with its own gas generation off I-65, opposed by the county government, which passed a conditional use permit rule, and by a citizens' group, both now in court. Also known as: Project Lionsgate, Project Blackjack.

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Status
Proposed · as of April 2, 2026
Location
Steele Road near I-65 Exit 2, Franklin · Simpson County
Status note
Franklin's Planning and Zoning Commission approved a preliminary development plan on March 3, 2026; final approval is pending and two lawsuits are open.
Power
Not reported
No power figure in the reporting reviewed; the plan includes on-site gas turbines not connected to the grid.
Floor area
600,000 sq ft
Three 200,000 sq ft buildings (WKU Public Radio).
Land
147 acres
About 147 acres in the citizens' lawsuit; about 200 acres per WKU Public Radio.
Investment
$5 billion (developer)
Developer and team
TenKey LandCo; SPDJ Partners and OTN Development (named in the lawsuit)
End user
Not disclosed; described by the developer as one of the largest tech companies
Evidence
News reports; primary records not yet obtained
Size class
50 MW or more (tracker scope)
Map position approximate, from the reported address or area. Updated Oct. 17, 2026.

Updates, newest first

  1. April 2, 2026 Franklin Citizens for Responsible Development sued in Simpson Circuit Court to overturn that approval. (WBKO, April 6, 2026)
  2. March 3, 2026 The Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the preliminary development plan, asking for more information before final approval. (WBKO, April 6, 2026; WKU Public Radio, April 14, 2026)
  3. Jan. 20, 2026 TenKey sued the Simpson County Fiscal Court to overturn a December 2025 ordinance requiring heavy-industrial zoning and a conditional use permit for data centers; Franklin's city boards had rejected a zoning change in 2025. (WKMS (Kentucky Public Radio), Jan. 28, 2026)

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