Mercer County fiscal court rejects data center zoning ordinance after months of community pushback

The Mercer County Fiscal Court voted down a proposed data center zoning ordinance following extensive community pushback. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the ordinance, arguing it left critical questions unanswered regarding infrastructure and the broader community impact.

The decision was welcomed by many, including representatives from Historic Shaker Village, a national historic landmark. A significant concern was the potential impact on Shaker Village, which draws over 100,000 visitors annually. Opponents noted that if passed, the ordinance would have permitted a data center within 2,000 feet of Shaker Village's border and one mile from its historic center.

Rincon, representing Shaker Village, advocated for the county to conduct comprehensive studies on land use, natural resources, and tourism before making decisions on data center locations, emphasizing that planning should precede zoning.

Despite the ordinance's rejection and an existing one-year moratorium, an unnamed developer is reportedly still pursuing a 950-acre data center project that faces strong community opposition. Residents expressed relief at the court's vote but anticipate further challenges, acknowledging that Mercer County remains a target for data center development and that continued advocacy will be necessary.