• Lebanon City Mayor Rick Bell confirmed Friday, Feb 20th that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was shopping and performing due diligence on a warehouse to convert into a mega ICE detention center. See his statement. 

• County Mayor Randal Hutto released a statement against this facility coming to Wilson County. 

• Sheriff Robert Bryan released a statement against this facility coming to Wilson County. 

• School Board member Jaime Farough released a statement against this facility coming to Wilson County. 

• Trends across the country have shown how communities have fought this and won:

  •  The strategy is to STOP THE SELL or LEASE. and apply pressure to the property owner. 

  • Tell our federal elected officials that we do not want this here. 

Concerns:

• PUBLIC SAFETY: Proposed location is a warehouse on HWY 109 located at 100-155 Cedar Creek Lane Lebanon, TN called Earhart Industrial Park. It is located near residential communities and near four schools. There is a real safety concern for anyone living near this facility. From Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto: 

  • "The size and scope raise serious safety concerns. What is being considered is a mega center — the largest of its kind in the United States — housing between 14,000 and 16,000 detainees from across Tennessee and surrounding states. Within a short distance of this proposed site are four schools, two churches, and a daycare. The safety of our children and families is always our top priority, and this proximity gives us great concern.

• INFRASTRUCTURE: Lebanon City sewer is at capacity. The proposed 10,000-15,000 bed facility would require massive infrastructure work costing tax-payers. From Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto:

  • A facility of this magnitude would place heavy demands on utilities and require substantial increases in law enforcement and emergency services. Those costs would fall on our citizens. We have already seen tension and unrest surrounding this issue, and we must consider the long term environment this facility would create.

• LOST TAX REVENUE: The Federal Government does not have to pay property tax. If these warehouses are sold or leased, our community would lose significant tax revenue. From Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto: 

  • While some have mentioned potential economic benefits, I believe strongly that no financial gain outweighs the safety, stability, and well being of our community. Our environment, our quality of life, and the people we serve every day are invaluable. As your County Mayor, I take seriously the responsibility to be a good steward of this county and to protect what makes Wilson County a place we are proud to call home.

• IMPACT ON OUR WORKFORCE: From Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto: 

  • The impact on our workforce would be significant.This facility would employ more than 4,000 people year-round. Wilson County has the second lowest unemployment rate in the state, and our businesses are already working hard to recruit and retain employees. A project of this size would strain our workforce, drive wages beyond what many local employers can sustain, and ultimately put pressure on taxpayers to keep essential public safety positions filled.

• THIS IS NOT THE LEGACY WE WANT: Wilson County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. We have worked hard to create a culture and identity for our community that attracts businesses that do good work and grow our economy.