Woodford County approves state's first permanent ban on data centers
Woodford County, Kentucky, has approved a permanent ban on data center construction, becoming the first county in the state to do so. This decision, driven by universal opposition from local residents, aims to preserve the county's agricultural heritage and valuable farmland. The ban was enacted proactively to avoid the debates seen in other communities regarding data center development.
Woodford County, Kentucky, has enacted the state's first permanent ban on data center construction, a move that also prohibits landfills and large battery storage systems. The Woodford Fiscal Court unanimously approved the ordinance following overwhelming opposition from local residents and a desire to preserve the county's agricultural landscape and historic Thoroughbred horse farms.
Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay highlighted the proactive nature of the ban, stating it was a clear commitment to maintain the county's unique character and protect its finite land resources from power-intensive operations. He noted that while no specific data center proposals had been made in Woodford County, the ban aims to prevent the divisive debates seen in other communities, such as Mercer County.
The Kentucky Association of Counties confirmed that Woodford County is the first in Kentucky to implement such a permanent prohibition, distinguishing it from other localities, including its county seat Versailles, which had opted for temporary moratoriums. The Data Center Coalition, an industry advocacy group, criticized the ban as anti-business, arguing that communities should collaborate with the industry to establish reasonable regulatory frameworks that allow for economic development.