Data Centers: Daily Notes | September 02, 2026

Rowan County, Kentucky

Rowan County’s Fiscal Court approved a two‑year moratorium on large‑scale data centers, giving officials time to study impacts and draft oversight measures.

Rowan County approves two-year data center moratorium ahead of potential projects

Rowan County officials say no company has approached the county about building a data center, but they’re taking steps now in case one does.

LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX)Alex Barber

Judge‑Executive Harry Clark emphasized no developer has approached the county, but said the pause is necessary since the county lacks zoning rules. Without regulations, projects could move forward with little review if infrastructure is available. Officials plan to explore conditional use permits and other tools to ensure public input and oversight. Business leaders noted data centers could generate millions in tax revenue, but residents will be asked to weigh in before any future proposals advance.

Winchester, Kentucky

Winchester’s city commission voted unanimously to impose a one‑year moratorium on data center development, pausing new projects while officials study impacts and gather community input.

Planning Director Rob Jeffries said the goal is to evaluate potential effects on nearby properties and ensure residents have a voice. The moratorium applies only within city limits, leaving the rest of Clark County unaffected. Residents and candidates for office praised the move but noted most available land lies outside Winchester proper. Mayor Reed emphasized the importance of using the pause to shape future regulations with direct community involvement.

West Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania

Township leaders in West Hempfield approved an ordinance regulating data centers, setting limits on facility size and proximity to residential and agricultural areas.

The vote followed strong resident input urging tighter controls, though supervisors cautioned against language that could be legally challenged. Officials said the ordinance provides a framework for oversight even without current applications. The planning commission will review possible amendments to expand safeguards, including noise and water use standards.

Fort Payne, Alabama

Fort Payne’s City Council unanimously approved an ordinance classifying data centers and battery energy storage systems as conditional uses in manufacturing and warehouse zones.

The measure requires proposals to undergo review by the Board of Zoning Adjustments and the council, with public hearings for community input. Mayor Brian Baine said the ordinance ensures the city has safeguards in place before any company approaches with a project. The vote follows a six‑month moratorium enacted earlier this year, which remains in effect until December 15.

Strisker Document Analysis

Finding the right compliance documents shouldn’t feel like searching for a needle in a haystack - Strisker’s Documents Analysis is built to simplify your life, offering instant access to hundreds of thousands of documents from thousands of cities across the world.

Create Your Watchlist - 14 Day Free Trial

Bulloch County, Georgia

Bulloch County commissioners narrowly rejected an outright ban on data centers in unincorporated areas, voting 4‑3 to leave the existing moratorium in place through December 31.

Bulloch County Commission Votes 4-3 Against Outright Data Center Ban • The Georgia Virtue

The debate over data centers in Bulloch County is far from settled after county commissioners narrowly rejected an outright ban Tuesday, opting instead to leave the existing moratorium in place while discussions over potential regulations continue. - Bulloch Local Government

The Georgia VirtueJessica Szilagyi

The proposed text amendment would have prohibited data centers entirely, but Chairman David Bennett cast the tie‑breaking vote against it, warning a ban could create legal risks. Commissioners said the pause allows staff to continue studying impacts and drafting potential regulations. Public comments reflected sharp divisions, with some residents urging a permanent ban and others calling for standards on noise, water, and power use.

Laramie County, Wyoming

Laramie County commissioners approved a zone change for “Project Latigo,” a proposed 1,835‑acre data center campus south of Cheyenne.

The decision allows developer Vantage Data Centers to move forward with site planning under Planned Unit Development zoning, which sets rules on building height, setbacks, noise, and lighting. Company officials said the $20 billion project could create up to 2,000 jobs and include modular housing for workers. The facility would also feature on‑site natural gas power generation and closed‑loop cooling systems, with promises to restore more water than it consumes.

Portland, Oregon

City leaders in Portland are moving toward new guardrails on data center negotiations, with a committee recommending a resolution against nondisclosure agreements.

Portland moves to keep data center deals out of the shadows

Portland leaders are taking a first step toward putting new guardrails around data centers as questions grow over where much larger facilities can be built and how much the public will know before a deal moves forward.

KATUVictor Park, KATU

Councilors said the measure is meant to prevent secrecy in early talks and ensure residents know about potential projects before they advance. Portland’s zoning code already allows data centers as “industrial office” uses, raising questions about where larger facilities could locate. Advocates urged the city to go further, calling for enforceable bans and even moratoriums on new projects. The resolution now heads to the full council for consideration.

Indiantown, Florida

Indiantown’s Village Council voted 4‑1 against a resolution to pause hyperscale data center applications, saying they want new legal counsel to craft language that can withstand challenges.

The decision came after hours of public comment from residents worried about water, schools, and neighborhood impacts. Immediately after, the council terminated Village Manager Taryn Kryzda and removed Village Attorney Wade Vose, appointing Michael Giardino as interim manager. Residents highlighted multiple proposed projects, including “Project Growler” and “Project Beskar,” and urged safeguards before approvals move forward. Council members said the leadership changes reflect a new direction as the village confronts data center growth.

Eatonville, Florida

Eatonville’s town council declined to raise fines against HostDime, which has repeatedly missed deadlines to complete its AI data center off I‑4 and Lee Road.

HostDime: Premier Global Data Centers

HostDime’s global edge data centers are purpose-built to deliver a wide array of products such as bare metal, cloud servers, and colocation services.

HostDime

The company was fined $250 per day after failing to meet a June 2025 deadline, with penalties totaling nearly $100,000 by September 1. Councilwoman Wanda Randolph introduced a measure to double the fines to $500 daily, citing more than a year of delays, but the proposal did not pass.

Councilman Tarus Mack strongly criticized HostDime’s CEO for failing to attend the meeting, calling the absence disrespectful and warning against companies dictating terms to the community. HostDime’s CEO later promised to provide an update, but frustration among council members remains high. The council said it will revisit the issue of increased fines at a later date, leaving the current penalty structure in place for now.

📱 Social Buzz

Episode Title: Make It Reign
Episode: Politix

Listen:https://www.politix.fm/p/make-it-reign

👍 We’d love your feedback.
Which stories hit? Which ones missed?

We're exploring a new branch of topics centered around Data Centers and want to make it even more useful for you.

✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!

-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading Daily Notes? Feel free to forward this along. We’re opening a few more spots.