Bemidji data center moratorium gains support of citizen commission
Bemidji, Minnesota is moving forward with a proposed one-year moratorium on data center developments larger than 10,000 square feet. The Bemidji Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval, citing concerns over water and electricity usage. The ordinance will now go to the Bemidji Planning Board for further consideration and public comment.
The city of Bemidji, Minnesota, is advancing a proposed one-year moratorium on data center developments exceeding 10,000 square feet. The Bemidji Planning Commission, a body of volunteer citizens, unanimously recommended approval of the ordinance after a public hearing.
Planning Director Jamin Carlson explained that the moratorium is intended to provide a timeframe for the city's legal team to research and develop a comprehensive ordinance for data center permitting. Carlson noted concerns regarding potential high water and electricity consumption, as well as environmental pollution, observed in other communities with data centers.
The proposed moratorium follows an earlier inaccurate news report that had listed Bemidji among potential data center locations, which sparked local concern. The ordinance is now slated for discussion at the Bemidji Planning Board, which includes members of the City Council, with another opportunity for public comment scheduled for September 14, 2026.