Morgan County data center moratorium end drawing near

Morgan County, Illinois, is facing a critical deadline as its six-month moratorium on new data center applications is set to expire at the end of October. The Morgan County Commissioners are expected to consider a new regulatory ordinance next month, despite the current absence of any formal data center proposals before the county.

Commissioner Michael Woods has advocated for a more extended review period and increased public engagement, while Chairman Michael Wankel emphasizes the importance of establishing regulations, particularly given Morgan County's lack of traditional countywide zoning. In a show of public interest, residents have collected over 1,100 signatures to place an advisory referendum on data center restrictions on the November general election ballot.

This local debate is influenced by developments in neighboring areas, such as Sangamon County's approval of a approximately $500 million CyrusOne facility near Waverly, just across the county line. Other Illinois communities, including Champaign County, which has also imposed a moratorium, are discussing various issues related to data centers, including water and electricity use and community-benefit agreements. The immediate challenge for Morgan County officials is to establish comprehensive rules before a new data center proposal emerges, potentially guided by the voters' opinion in the upcoming election.