Why Linn County passed a data center ordinance

Sami Scheetz, a Linn County supervisor, detailed why the Linn County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a new data center ordinance last month. The ordinance, developed over months with significant community input from over 100 residents, is described as potentially the most comprehensive data center regulation adopted by a local government in Iowa. It aims to address concerns about resource-intensive development by trillion-dollar corporations and ensure local communities receive tangible benefits. A core focus of the ordinance is the protection of natural resources, especially water. Under the new regulations, large-scale data centers in unincorporated Linn County must prove sufficient water resources through an independent study and enter binding Water Use Agreements with the County, coordinating with the Iowa DNR. The ordinance also covers noise, setbacks, lighting, emergency response, road impacts, and waste management, including protections for neighboring property owners. To ensure community engagement and benefits, the ordinance mandates a pre-application public meeting for developers and requires an Economic Development Agreement and a community betterment fund for every project. Scheetz emphasized that while the county is pro-growth and pro-community, it will not compromise its resources, referencing Microsoft's recent decision to forgo property tax incentives as a sign that host communities deserve more. The Linn County Board of Supervisors is committed to transparency and ensuring growth occurs on its terms.