Carlton County approves 1-year data center moratorium
The Carlton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center developments in the county's townships. The decision came after months of consideration and a request from a grassroots group, The Land Stewards. This action reflects growing concerns about the environmental and infrastructural impact of data centers.
The Carlton County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center developments within its townships on August 24, 2026, following months of deliberation. The interim use ordinance will prevent the approval of new data centers, though it will not impact cities within the county.
District 4 Commissioner Susan Zmyslony, who motioned for the approval, cited the importance of protecting the county's generational farms, tourism, lakes, and forests. The discussion on a moratorium began in early June, initiated by the grassroots group The Land Stewards, as the county is also undergoing an update to its comprehensive plan.
Carlton County joins a growing number of Minnesota communities enacting such moratoriums, driven by increasing demand for large tech complexes by AI companies. These facilities raise concerns over their substantial impact on local water and electric infrastructure, with state and federal regulations reportedly lagging behind the pace of development. Neighboring Hermantown and Bemidji are also considering or have dealt with similar data center issues.