Data centers could be banned in Butte County, voters will decide in June
Butte County voters are set to decide on June 2 whether to ban data center construction. Local resident and business owner Michelle Evans led the initiative to place the county-wide prohibition on the ballot. If approved, the county commission would be mandated to pass an ordinance.
Butte County, South Dakota, is preparing for a significant vote on June 2 regarding the future of data center development within its jurisdiction. Voters will decide on an ordinance that, if passed, would prohibit the construction of any new data centers.
The ballot initiative was spearheaded by Belle Fourche resident and business co-owner Michelle Evans, who actively led the charge to place the measure before county voters. Evans has publicly advocated for the county-wide ban, making her case at local forums, including a recent candidate event at Grap’s Burgers and Brews.
Should a majority of voters cast a "yes" ballot, the Butte County Commission would then be required to enact an ordinance officially prohibiting data center construction.