Update on McCormick County's Council meeting on data centers
The McCormick County Council approved a rezoning proposal for five properties, changing them from forest agriculture to service industrial, despite strong public opposition. Residents had advocated for a moratorium on data centers and against the rezoning, expressing dissatisfaction with the council's decision and vowing to continue their fight with a "no data center" campaign.
After months of public debate regarding data center developments, the McCormick County Council held a meeting that was packed with residents seeking answers. Many attendees voiced a clear message: support for a moratorium on data centers and opposition to rezoning proposals.
Despite public sentiment, the council proceeded with its agenda. The rezoning proposal, which had been under consideration for months, passed on its third and final reading. This decision effectively rezones five properties from their current forest agriculture designation to service industrial, facilitating potential data center construction.
The council's vote was met with considerable unhappiness from the community, with some individuals turning their backs to the council members during the voting process as a sign of protest. Organizers of the opposition have stated that their fight is not over and are now working to launch a "no data center" campaign.