Bowling Green rejects data center pause, advances regulations after lengthy debate

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – After more than an hour of discussion Tuesday night, the Bowling Green City Commission rejected a proposal to place a six-month hold on data center development applications while unanimously advancing a new ordinance that would establish regulations for the industry.

Commissioners voted 3-2 against Municipal Order 2026-134, which would have created a six-month due diligence period on data center-related applications, zoning amendments, permits and business registrations. Commissioners Dana Beasley Brown and Carlos Bailey supported the measure, while Mayor Todd Alcott and Commissioners Sue Parrigin and Melinda Hill voted against it.

The failed proposal came as communities across Kentucky continue grappling with how to regulate large-scale data centers, which can require significant electricity and water resources to operate.

Beasley Brown, who sponsored the measure, argued the temporary pause would have allowed city leaders, utility officials and the public additional time to study the industry’s potential impacts.

“We have an obligation to actively help the local ratepayers,” Beasley Brown said. “Voting yes on this six-month due diligence period says we believe in transparency. We believe doing our work out in the open and refuse to gamble with the grid capacity and the pocketbooks our manufacturers, small businesses and families rely on every day.”

She said Bowling Green’s rapid growth has been fueled by a diversified economy and warned against allowing a single project to consume resources that could be needed for future employers.

“If we allow one project to exhaust our utility capacity, we effectively close the door on future industries that bring hundreds of permanent high-wage jobs to our workforce,” she said.

Bailey echoed those concerns, saying residents have repeatedly asked questions about infrastructure, energy demand, utility rates and long-term community impacts.

“Our responsibility is not to assume what is there. It’s not to guess. It’s not hope that everything works out,” Bailey said. “Our responsibility is to do the homework, to do the due diligence.”

Bailey said communities, regulators and lawmakers across the country are still studying the effects of data center growth.

“I do not believe that Bowling Green needs to apologize for taking the time to ask questions and seek answers,” he said. “In fact, I believe that is exactly what responsible leadership looks like.”

Opponents of the proposal argued that Bowling Green already has experienced economic development and planning professionals reviewing potential projects and that a six-month pause could send the wrong message to businesses considering the city.

Parrigin said the city has a long history of successfully evaluating major projects and should continue doing so.

“We cannot afford a moratorium for six months while some of us try to understand the ramifications of having a top-tier AI company,” Parrigin said.

Parrigin pointed to projects such as the Kentucky Transpark, the National Corvette Museum and SKyPAC as examples of developments that initially faced public skepticism but ultimately benefited the community.

Hill also cited the Transpark’s impact on Bowling Green’s economy and argued the city should remain open to future opportunities.

“Because of that, I cannot support this because to me, voting for this is saying, ‘Sorry, we’re closed for business,’” Hill said. “No matter what your business is, Bowling Green is not open.”

During the discussion, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Interim President and CEO Meredith Wilson urged commissioners to consider the differences among data center projects.

“All data centers are not created equal, just like all manufacturing is not created equal,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the proposed regulations already contain significant protections, including requirements designed to address utility usage and infrastructure concerns.

Following the failed municipal order, commissioners turned their attention to Ordinance BG2026-6, a sweeping amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance that would formally establish regulations for data centers. The ordinance received first-reading approval on a 5-0 vote and must receive a second reading before becoming law.

The ordinance would create “Data Center” as a new land-use category within the zoning code and establish specific use standards governing future facilities. 

According to planning documents, the ordinance includes specific standards for data center uses, setback requirements for structures and emissions points, and decommissioning and bonding requirements intended to ensure sites are properly maintained or restored if operations end. If adopted, the proposed regulations are among the most restrictive local standards for data centers in Kentucky. 

Under the ordinance, data centers would be required to maintain a 500-foot setback from property lines, remain at least 1,500 feet from residential, agricultural and commercial uses, and stay 1,500 feet from schools, churches, hospitals and nursing homes. Exhaust stacks and emissions points associated with on-site energy systems would face even greater separation requirements, including a 2,000-foot setback from residential, agricultural and commercial areas.  

The ordinance would also require applicants to demonstrate that electric, water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure can support a project without negatively affecting existing customers. Data centers would be required to submit utility and infrastructure plans, document available grid capacity, and pay for any utility upgrades needed to serve the facility. Backup generators could only be used during outages or emergencies, with routine testing limited to weekday afternoon hours. The proposal also requires closed-loop cooling systems, detailed water management plans, measures to limit heat impacts beyond property lines, and a decommissioning plan backed by financial assurances to ensure facilities can be removed if operations cease.  

Before the ordinance vote, Beasley Brown proposed an amendment that would have added additional language to the regulations. That amendment failed to gain commission approval.

Despite disagreements over the six-month pause, commissioners ultimately united behind advancing the zoning ordinance.

Alcott said any future data center proposal would still face significant scrutiny from city leaders.

“If we’re going to consider having a high-impact industrial-scale digital facility, that entity must prove they can do so without risk or cost to our citizens,” Alcott said.

The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading and final consideration at the commission’s June 16 meeting.

Also during the meeting, the commission approved their fiscal year 2027 budget of $110.2 million in their general fund, down $6.7 million from 2026, and $180.7 million in all funds, down $7.9 million.