Starke County approves ban on commercial data centers
Starke County commissioners approved an ordinance banning commercial data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities and server farms in the county's unincorporated areas. Officials cited concerns about water consumption, electrical-grid strain and noise, and the ordinance also restricts supporting substations and battery-storage facilities.
Starke County commissioners approved an ordinance banning commercial data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities and server farms in unincorporated areas of Starke County, Indiana. The measure does not apply within the town limits of Knox, North Judson or Hamlet and will take effect after required legal publication.
The ordinance also prohibits high-water-use cooling systems, electrical substations and battery-storage facilities built to support data centers. County officials cited concerns over water demand, electrical-grid strain and noise, while allowing exceptions for certain smaller computer rooms and equipment used by public utilities and telecommunications providers.