Decision 2026: Data center ban passes in Hubbard
Hubbard voters approved an ordinance banning data centers by a vote of 2,622 to 802. The measure followed concerns about city officials' discussions with an unnamed data center company and came after a 12-month moratorium on data centers was enacted in June.
Voters in Hubbard approved a citywide data center ban, 2,622 votes to 802. The ballot measure followed months of debate over the city’s handling of discussions with an unnamed data center company, including Mayor Ben Kyle’s signing of a nondisclosure agreement in 2024.
Petition organizers Jim Frederick and Katie Costello said the referendum was necessary because residents felt excluded from the decision-making process. The vote follows packed City Council meetings and a 12-month data center moratorium approved in June. Council President Mike Mogg previously argued that a permanent ban was too broad and that the city should instead allow smaller facilities while restricting large data centers.