Woodbury County imposes 12‑month moratorium on unincorporated data‑center permits after public outcry

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors on a 5‑0 vote approved a 12‑month moratorium on accepting, processing and approving applications for all classes of data centers in the county’s unincorporated areas, citing the need for detailed study, public input and ordinance updates.

Supervisor Dan Priestley framed the moratorium as an "opportunity" to examine how data centers should be regulated under the county comprehensive plan and zoning code. Priestley said staff and the county attorney prepared moratorium language to give the zoning commission and county staff time to evaluate permitting criteria — including water use, noise, decommissioning plans and conditional‑use procedures — before new applications move forward.

The measure followed more than an hour of public comment in which residents, business representatives and union members offered sharply differing views. Ingred Brandon, a Salix resident, said the community lacked basic information about the proposal and asked, “What happens when the 15 years is up? What happens to the equipment that’s there?” Dean Bradom of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33 urged the board not to shut down economic opportunity, calling data centers a potential source of construction and permanent jobs. Several residents and tribal members raised concerns about environmental, cultural and property‑value impacts; one commenter urged the board to require developers to provide detailed studies and public notice to nearby landowners.

Board members said the moratorium is intended to preserve local control while the county develops clearer standards. Supervisor Kent said he supported the moratorium to "pump the brakes" and study water‑use and location impacts; another supervisor said the pause could be rescinded or extended depending on findings and future applications. At a follow‑up motion the board also directed the Woodbury County Zoning Commission to review industrial data‑center permitting procedures and hold necessary public input sessions before presenting recommended ordinance changes.

The moratorium and the zoning commission referral passed by unanimous voice vote. The board instructed staff to schedule public meetings across the county over the coming year to hear from residents and stakeholders and to provide cost and infrastructure information for areas under consideration.

Next steps: the zoning commission will begin its review and the county will advertise public input sessions; the moratorium is written for up to 12 months and may be rescinded or extended by future board action.