Where the City stands
Let me be direct: the City is not taking this lightly, and this is not a done deal. No project has been approved. We are doing this work now — before anyone approaches us — so the rules of engagement are clearly defined in advance and the City stays in control, rather than reacting under pressure to a proposal already in motion.
We are weighing the benefits and the risks honestly, in the open. We want to hear from you. If you have a concern, tell us — our job is to get it on the record and address it.
And let me be clear about our priorities: we would rather set standards so strong that no company ever chooses to come here than define them loosely, fail to think them through, and end up with a finished project the City has lost control over. Protecting Linn Valley's character and its residents comes first.
— Mayor Lister Potter
Start here
What the district is
A clear explanation of the overlay, the uses it allows (data centers, battery storage, advanced industry), and where it applies.
Why we're considering it
The financial case — broadening the tax base and easing the burden on residents — and why the City is even exploring this.
Concerns & our responses
Concerns we've heard — water, noise, fire safety, property values — each paired with the City's response and mitigation.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often about the process, taxes, jobs, and timeline.
Updates
Announcements, meeting notes, and explainers as the project moves forward.
Weighing what you read
A short, non-partisan guide to sorting good information from bad on this topic — for claims both for and against.
Latest updates
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The direction from here
Beyond the immediate data-center question: why I looked at this, what residents told me, and the direction I believe Linn Valley should take on protecting the community, updating its comprehensive plan, and how I'll communicate going forward.
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U.S. vs. China: what data-center counts do and don't tell us
A resident correctly noted the U.S. has far more data centers than China. Here is why that number is accurate, and why it does not by itself settle whether a data center is right for Linn Valley.
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Where the data-center and battery-storage question stands
An update after the August 24 City Council meeting: I have withdrawn support for the overlay, the Silverton battery-storage inquiry is closed, and the Council voted to continue research only. No project has been approved.