Longtime Cave City attorney tied to both sides of data center dispute
Richardson could not be reached for comment on whether he would recuse himself from the current lawsuit.
CAVE CITY, Ky. — Cave City’s longtime attorney previously represented Kentucky Industrial Alliance LLC, the company now suing the city over regulations tied to a proposed data center development, according to public records.
Bobby Richardson, who has served as Cave City’s attorney for more than 50 years, represented Kentucky Industrial Alliance LLC in 2024 when the company sought approval to remove several graves from its large property near Interstate 65.
Government records show Kentucky Industrial Alliance LLC has acquired hundreds of acres in Cave City over the past three years for the development of an industrial park in the city’s industrial-zoned area.
A recent financial study indicates the property owner has been in discussions with a data center developer to construct a hyperscale campus that could include up to 10 buildings totaling as much as 2 million square feet across roughly 600 acres in Cave City and unincorporated Barren County. The draft report outlines the potential scope, costs and economic impact of the proposed project.
Brennan Crain
On March 17, 2025, Kentucky Industrial Alliance LLC applied for an order authorizing the removal of two gravesites it said had been abandoned for at least 10 years, the minimum period required under state law before a county can approve their relocation.
Richardson signed the request that was later forwarded to the Barren County Fiscal Court and was listed as legal counsel for Kentucky Industrial Alliance LLC.
At the time, he did not disclose to magistrates or the public what type of development was being pursued for the property.
Now, a little more than a year later, Richardson is on the opposing side as the landowners sue Cave City over a moratorium city leaders adopted to pause the acceptance and processing of data center proposals.
Brennan Crain
Richardson could not be reached for comment on whether he would recuse himself from the current lawsuit. He has told council members he plans to retire in December, ending more than 50 years as Cave City’s attorney.
Barrenside has learned that Cave City Mayor Dwayne Hatcher had a meeting scheduled Friday with ELPO Law in Bowling Green regarding the data center lawsuit.
Cave City has not yet filed a response to the claims brought by Kentucky Industrial Alliance LLC. A hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for July 20.
