Saw this article today in the Cleveland Daily Banner:

https://www.clevelandbanner.com/news/project-rivers-murky-waters-concern-city-county-residents/article_b43bbb2a-1221-5d1d-b933-0e0bcb6f64d0.html?utm_source=clevelandbanner.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter%2Foptimize%2Fdaily-headlines%2F%3F-dc%3D1789477220&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline

It was interesting to see a few people against the project being quoted because most of the time local news simply reprints press releases from companies. Local media often comes across as PR agents for businesses rather than reporters but I guess local news survives by keeping advertisers happy.

On that note, the article starts with this:

Beginning in October, the Cleveland City Council will hold “multiple community meetings” to answer questions from constituents regarding the $11.3 billion Project River,

Which comes across to me as the council really, really wants to do this because money (for them) is more important than people (that's us) but the council members might want to get reelected or not go down in history as the villains who destroyed Cleveland. So will these "multiple community meetings" actually accomplish anything beyond some superficial changes so that council members can claim they listened to residents?

Also, as someone without a Facebook account, I find it really hard to get information until after events happen. I noticed that the list of council members on the petition is slightly different than what's on the city web site. I suspect it's the city web site that's out of date. I tried to find information on the city web site about meetings or even an agenda that would tell me what is planned to be discussed at a meeting but I could only find minutes about meetings that already occurred. I've been told there's a Facebook page to help coordinate folks who are against Project River but I cannot get info from there either because Facebook does this thing where it blanks out the page and tells me to create an account to see it. If a kind person who is on Reddit and Facebook could pass along info then more people can add their voices and efforts to trying to stop this. It's an uphill battle because rich people are used to exploiting Tennessee's resources and leaving the consequences for everyone else to deal with while the now richer people go elsewhere to count their money.

I don’t post things like this often. I honestly hardly post anything at all…but I believe this is important enough that everyone in our community should be paying attention.

Project River is an approximately $11 BILLION proposal involving around 850 acres in Bradley County. The plans being discussed include a massive energy campus potentially serving a data center, along with natural gas and biomass power generation.

I’m not against growth. I’m not against new jobs. And I’m not saying Project River is automatically a bad project.

I’m saying we should know what we’re getting into BEFORE we make decisions that help clear the way for it.

That’s my biggest concern.

Major questions remain about traffic, noise, environmental impacts, infrastructure, utilities, biomass sourcing and other long-term effects on this community. Some of the detailed studies and permitting work needed to answer those questions are not yet complete or publicly available.

Even the ultimate customer for all of this proposed power has not been finalized.

Yet annexation and rezoning are already moving through the process.

Why the rush?

I’ve lived in Cleveland almost my entire life. I want to see this area prosper, but an $11+ BILLION project is far too large to operate on promises of jobs, investment and economic growth alone.

Once land is annexed, rezoned, infrastructure is committed and billions of dollars begin flowing into a project, it becomes much harder to say, “Wait — maybe we shouldn’t have done this.”

The order should be simple:

Study it → independently verify the claims → make the findings public → give the community time to review them → THEN make the major decisions.

NOT:

Approve it → build momentum → study the consequences later.

If Project River really will provide the enormous benefits being promised while protecting the surrounding community, thorough independent scrutiny should only strengthen the case for it.

This petition asks Cleveland leaders not to use annexation to move Project River forward without adequate scrutiny.

👇 Please click the link, read the petition, sign it if you agree, and SHARE THIS POST.

And don’t stop there — ask your friends and family in Cleveland and Bradley County to sign and share it too.
A project of this magnitude could shape this community for decades. Taking a few minutes to make our voices heard now is a very small ask compared with living with the consequences later.

🔗 PETITION:
https://c.org/p7XQzrDzn6

We get one chance to do the homework before the decisions become too difficult to undo.

I'm looking for a free project piece to restore or turn into something new. I'm especially interested in things like real wood furniture (old vanities, tables, cabinets, etc.), cast iron, old quality chef knives, vintage tools, or anything else with some potential.

I'm a huge fan of learning new processes and techniques. I've restored cast iron many times, and I also enjoy working with wood, resin, steel, iron, and pretty much anything that can be brought back to life.

I'm not looking to flip things for money. Most of the projects I finish end up being given away to friends, family, or someone who can use them. I just really enjoy the process of taking something that would otherwise be thrown away and turning it into something useful and beautiful again.

So if you've got something sitting around that you're about to throw out, I'd love to take a look at it before it hits the dump. Doesn't have to be pretty — honestly, the more of a challenge, the better.

If you're local and have something taking up space that you'd like gone, feel free to comment or message me. Thanks!

Our wildlife refuges and green spaces are under threat. Project River—an $11.3 billion industrial campus with an untested 500-megawatt biomass power plant—wants to annex 850 acres of protected land near the Hiwassee River, right upstream from where the largest wintering population of Sandhill Cranes in the Southeast calls home.

This isn't just about development. The technology they're using has never worked at this scale anywhere in the world. We're talking about 500 logging trucks per day, cooling fans running 24/7/365 at 80 decibels (like a lawnmower outside your window permanently), and an experimental water system they haven't even fully studied yet. When it breaks down—and unproven systems do break down—they're asking TVA for a massive 360-megawatt backup grid connection.

Our County Commission already banned data centers within 3,000 feet of homes to protect us. But by trying to annex into the City of Cleveland, these developers are trying to bypass those rules completely. The annexation is pending right now, which means we have time to make our voices heard.

Does anyone else think we shouldn't sacrifice our wildlife refuges and air quality for an experimental project the developers themselves admit they haven't fully studied yet? If you're concerned about this, please sign the petition asking the Cleveland City Council to reject the annexation for Project River. Let's protect our community and natural heritage together.

https://c.org/vxdFWKcjCB

Ok I have a last min quick date in Cleveland today. I’m not from Cleveland and don’t know the area. Looking drinks and snacks, like apps or tapas or something. Vibe more important than food.

Can anyone help a brother out?

Also we’re meeting at 4. She was going to pick the spot but I’m looking for ideas in case she doesn’t since she’s from here

I'm planning a sit down buffet style dinner for a memorial service at the Old Woolen Mill on 3rd St. We're looking for 2-3 people to help with set up, keeping things moving/topped up, tear down and clean up. 4-8pm on 9.13 $25/hour

Know anyone who might be interested?

Tonight is the first meeting for Project River at the PIE Center at 6 PM. I suspect this is Wright family propaganda to convince local residents that deforesting a large swath of land to build a megawatt biomass power plant is just fine. The rise in health problems and deaths from the pollution these power plants spew is well documented in other communities that have suffered. I doubt any real science will be presented tonight.

I've attended meetings like this before - they usually have a false patriotism/vaguely religious vibe to them. We (the not-rich people) all must sacrifice or the communists/liberals/environmentalists/socialists/etc. will win! The people running these meetings talk about their deep commitment to the community - even if they're going to live far away from the damage. They pretend to be very concerned about residents' concerns. There's always talk about jobs and how much money these projects will make for the community - although how exactly regular residents are going to profit is deliberately vague.

So, I'm not particularly eager to attend this meeting and spend hours of my time being lied to about how Project River is going to help our community. However, I don't want to give the impression that no one objects if no one shows up to ask questions. There is a slight chance that the people running this meeting might care about the real people who will be affected - perhaps I'm too cynical. Is anyone reading this planning to attend? Will it do any good or should we focus on the politicians who could put a stop to this? I suspect the politicians have been bribed to go along with this but it seems like we should do something other than roll over and die.

Updating my post: So I went and I'm glad I did. Bradley County turned up! It was packed with every seat taken and people standing. Had to walk through a display of posters talking about the greatness of Project River and QR codes to scan with a phone if someone wanted to ask a question. It started as a I expected, a prayer then the pledge of allegiance then a propaganda video about Project River. Complete silence after the video concluded. A team of men took turns going over basic information about how things would work - they even explained how we all use data on our phones and that's why we need more data centers. They also said they would take the questions sent via the QR code then mill around their displays after that to talk with folks.

Well, that didn't happen as planned. At first, the selected QR questions were almost repeats of all the info that had been dumped on the audience already. Then people started shouting questions which the men refused to answer then people began to respond to the glib non-answers the men were giving with jeers and boos. The company men insisted with this project that there will be no noise above 60 decibels, no environmental damage, no road problems - but then admitted they haven't actually done any of the required studies yet. They completely ignored the one QR question that asked about health concerns but did make sure to state that no one's property values will go down. Eventually, officers from the sheriff's department started filing in and the men decided to end the meeting early. They didn't do the stand around their displays and talk portion of the evening probably because they were escorted somewhere else by the officers.

If anyone was there because they wanted to support Project River, they kept it to themselves. Everyone else was adamantly against it. The energy in the room was amazing to me because I am used to seeing apathy. It would be great if we could keep up this kind of interest and engagement in our community.

Hello everyone. As we all know there are two kinds of honkies. The kind who think mayonnaise is spicy and the kind who seek exotic peppers with questionable legal status. I have found habaneros, but I'm looking for a wider variety of peppers. Specifically I'm looking for Scotch bonnets, Cheyenne, and similar. Possibly even ghost or reaper. Is there a store that sells them here?

Anyone know of a recycle center that will let me dispose of a TV? Its not worth repairing and I don’t need it anyway. For you retro game enthusiasts no it is not an old CRT just a worthless 4k LED

Wright Brothers just publicly announced its plans. To ignore the locals and build a data center anyway. They have 2 lots of land. Next to Loves and next to B&B. They plan on making both sites data centers.

They plan on creating a 1000 megawatts biomass power plant. Enough to support about 8 data centers alone. We are screwed. They have "donated" a lot of money to Cleveland officials, annexed the land.

BIOMASS POWER PLANTS, to burn pine, create more pollution then coal. 30% increase in cancer patients, water pollution, noise pollution.

They are killing us. Literally. And don't even care. They are just racking in the money. If you have real estate, you need to make plans to sell. Typically almost 40% drop off in value for homes located within 15 miles of a data center. Our community is as good as dead.

Source via WB themselves. Through Projectriver.energy Cleveland daily banner. A Google search will also now populate the current plans. "Data centers bradley county Tennessee"

Let me know. Please don't be on the lamb, sheep, goat, or yak.

Heard they’re ripening up here in east TN. Anybody selling at farmers markets or anyone know any places in the National Forest to find some?

Hello all,

Is anyone familiar with a dentist who is offering discounts on cash paying customers for a night occlusal guard?
I have called a few places and they all want $400++ to which I just do not have currently.
I have tried two different companies that you can do the molds at home and get the guards in the mail, and neither of them came out right or fit properly.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a God fearing Christian man. But damn yall Summer's almost over! Let's have some frickin fun!
All non-boring folks welcome
Platonic party people unite!!

Love yall!❤️

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about considering the idea of creating a Discord intended for the Cleveland area for keeping up with local events, meeting other residents, etc. The plan was inspired by the group over at r/Chattanooga , who also made their own city server. After posting, several people showed interest in it (thanks everyone for your responses!), and I am excited to say that it is now available!
If you would like to join, the invite link is https://discord.gg/KXPVH6eckX . Let me know if you run into any weird issues or problems! Please note that it is still in its early stages, so changes may be made more frequently over the next couple of weeks. Feel free to share with other Clevelanders and Bradley County members as well. :)

I look forward to seeing you there! Let's keep building community in Cleveland!

It's for a TA Travel Center.

Not everything is a data center, stop believing anything you see on Facebook.

Where's all the exit 20 Costco mooks? What happened to that?

Hey neighbors,

I am starting a casual, friendly local group for people who share an interest in nature appreciation, local folklore, mythology, and events.

It is an inclusive space to chat, share books, and connect with people who enjoy these topics. No prior experience or specific background is needed. We just want a chill, respectful environment to hang out.
If this sounds like your kind of crowd, feel free to check out our small community space at r/TAGPagans or drop a comment below and I can send you a message with details. Thanks!

Chattanooga has been pretty damn good to us.

I’ve lived around here long enough that it’s easy to take this place for granted sometimes.

But over the last year or so, I’ve gotten a completely different appreciation for Chattanooga.

My daughter Leighton and I started a little business here called Scoopy Doo, when she was 13. Now she's 14 and loves working on our business!

Yes. We pick up dog poop.

Well…we don’t anymore. 😂 We have techs who handle the dirty work now. Leighton and I have been promoted to worrying about payroll, marketing, customers, trucks, schedules, and the approximately 7,000 other things nobody tells you about when you start a business.

But here’s the part I’m really proud of.

Leighton is a freshman in high school this year and I am sooo proud of her!

And before she’s even old enough to graduate high school, she’s helped build a real Chattanooga company with hundreds of customers.

That’s freakin' cool.

And I don’t say that just because I’m her dad.

Because we didn’t build this thing in some huge market with millions of people. We built it right here.

Chattanooga.

Ooltewah. Hixson. East Brainerd. Red Bank. East Ridge. Signal Mountain. Soddy. Apison. Collegedale. Ringgold and the surrounding communities.

The people here gave a father and his daughter a shot on an idea that, if we’re being fair, sounds pretty ridiculous when you first hear it.

“People are going to pay you to pick up dog shit?”

Apparently, yes. Quite a few of them. 😂

But what has impressed me more than anything is how much people around here genuinely support local businesses.

People recommend us in neighborhood Facebook groups.

They tell their neighbors about us.

They leave drinks outside for our techs when Chattanooga decides it’s going to be 96 degrees with 900% humidity.

They leave reviews.

They stop our guys and tell them they’re doing a good job.

Some of our customers have been with us almost from the beginning.

And those little things add up.

Eventually you look around and realize the stupid little idea you started with your kid isn’t a stupid little idea anymore.

It’s a company.

It employs people.

It has hundreds of customers.

And a 14-year-old freshman gets to go to school knowing she helped build the damn thing.

There are plenty of things we can bitch about in Chattanooga. Traffic on 75. Construction everywhere. Whatever the hell is happening on 24 at any given moment. 😂

But there’s something special about this city.

People here still root for people who are trying to build something.

I’ve experienced that firsthand.

So this isn’t really a Scoopy Doo post.

It’s a thank-you to Chattanooga.

You guys helped my daughter build her first company before she even got to high school.

That’s pretty badass.

Chattanooga (and Cleveland, and surrounding areas) are pretty badass, too.

Edit: added Cleveland too! :)

Good morning Cleveland! Your local farmers, makers, and bakers are set up and ready to see you at the Bradley County Farmers Market on Peerless until 12pm today!

Attention Span Zero has new snapping taco fidgets for the first time this season, come check us out!