Allen County pauses data center development for two years
SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. (WNKY) – Allen County officials have approved a two-year moratorium on the construction, development and operation of data centers and data storage facilities while local leaders evaluate the potential impacts such projects could have on the county.
The Allen County Fiscal Court adopted Ordinance No. 26-03, temporarily prohibiting new data center development throughout the county for a period of two years.
County leaders said the moratorium comes as Kentucky continues to see increased interest in data center development and as Allen County could be a potential location for future projects.
News 40 reached out to Allen County Judge-Executive Dennis Harper on Wednesday.
“We have done a moratorium to try to prepare Allen County and its citizens if a data center comes calling,” Harper said. “During this time we will be researching all avenues to protect our citizens and our county.”
According to the ordinance, fiscal court members cited concerns about the effects data centers can have on infrastructure, energy consumption, land use and environmental sustainability. Officials also noted that existing county ordinances and regulations may not adequately address the demands and unique characteristics associated with large-scale data facilities.
The ordinance states that the fiscal court believes additional time is needed to evaluate infrastructure capacity, review existing policies and consider the county’s long-term planning objectives before allowing such developments to move forward.
During the moratorium period, county officials, consultants and other stakeholders are expected to study environmental impacts, utility capacity, potential economic benefits and best practices used by similarly sized communities. The county also plans to review and potentially update local policies, regulations and development standards related to data centers.
Fiscal court members said the temporary pause is intended to protect the public health, safety and welfare of county residents while the review process takes place.
The ordinance took effect immediately following its second reading and adoption by the Allen County Fiscal Court.
