Data center developers target Linn County towns of Fairfax, Walford
Data center developers are exploring unincorporated Linn County near Walford and Fairfax because of a high-voltage transmission line. Walford and Fairfax want a fringe-area agreement with Linn County to ensure they have input on projects, while the county maintains a data center moratorium through the end of 2027.
Developers are considering a data center site in unincorporated Linn County near Walford and Fairfax, attracted in part by a high-voltage transmission line between the two communities. Linn County Planning Director Charlie Nichols said a potential developer approached Walford but declined to pursue annexation into the city.
Walford has asked Linn County to establish a fringe-area agreement governing review of data center proposals within two miles of the city, and Fairfax is interested in joining the arrangement. The county supports the proposal and is forming a regional data center advisory board, while its moratorium on data center development remains in effect through the end of 2027.