Ludlow approves moratorium on data centers, other IT infrastructure projects
The Ludlow City Council has enacted a one-year moratorium on new IT infrastructure facilities, including data centers, in response to local resident concerns. This pause will allow the city to develop a stronger regulatory framework for such developments. Currently, data centers are permitted in commercially zoned areas within Ludlow.
The Ludlow City Council has approved a one-year moratorium on accepting applications for IT-related infrastructure facilities, such as data centers. The ordinance was passed last week following concerns raised by Ludlow residents regarding the potential for a local data center.
Mayor Sarah Thompson stated that currently, any commercially zoned area in Ludlow allows for data centers, referring to the city's Z21 Zoning Code. This code was adopted in 2026 (likely a typo, assumed to be an existing updated code) to replace the former ordinance, created by the Z21 Committee in partnership with the Kenton County Planning Commission.
The city's decision to enact a moratorium aims to provide time to strengthen its regulatory framework for these facilities, which are often promoted as economic drivers but are expanding rapidly due to demand from artificial intelligence.