Carlton County Board agrees to consider data center moratorium
The Carlton County Board of Commissioners voted to consider a one-year moratorium on data center construction, prompted by grassroots organizers known as the Carlton County Land Stewards. This comes as Silver Brook Township is being considered for a 1 million square foot data center. The proposed ordinance will be discussed further at a July 14 meeting and will likely involve a public hearing in August.
The Carlton County Board of Commissioners in Minnesota has agreed to consider a one-year moratorium on data center construction within the county. This decision follows significant pressure from grassroots organizers, the Carlton County Land Stewards, who filled the Carlton County Transportation Building to advocate for the pause. The board voted to advance the proposed interim ordinance for further consideration at its July 14 meeting, which would also authorize a study on potential additional regulations.
Commissioner Sue Zmyslony stated that while no data center proposal has been formally submitted for Carlton County, it is in the county's best interest to restrict expansion while a study is underway. The Land Stewards became active after it was revealed that Silver Brook Township is one of three locations being considered for a large, 1 million-square-foot data center by a client of a Duluth-based real estate agent. Residents, like Sandy Sterle of Blackhoof Township, expressed concerns about the