Yellowstone County sues over initiative aimed at Quantica data center
Yellowstone County commissioners authorized a lawsuit seeking judicial review of a proposed ballot initiative targeting Quantica Infrastructure’s planned hyperscale data center near Broadview. The initiative would require two-thirds voter approval for data center operations, establish interim zoning to pause and study the project, and require broad disclosure of county communications with the data center industry.
Yellowstone County commissioners voted unanimously to ask a district court to determine whether a proposed ballot initiative targeting data center development is legal and constitutional. The initiative, led by Broadview resident Kassi Solberg, would require two-thirds voter approval before a data center could begin or resume operations in the county and would impose interim zoning intended to pause and study Quantica Infrastructure’s planned project north of Billings.
The county argues that the initiative exceeds local authority, conflicts with Montana zoning law and the state’s 2025 Right to Compute Act, and improperly changes public-records procedures. County Attorney Scott Twito said judicial review is necessary before organizers spend time collecting signatures. Solberg and other opponents criticized county officials at a contentious public meeting and questioned Twito’s relationship with Quantica attorney Damon Obie; Twito rejected the conflict-of-interest allegations.