Shelby County Commission considering data center moratorium of its own
The Shelby County Commission is considering a 12-month moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas of the county, modeled on a proposal before the Memphis City Council. Commissioners withheld a vote and sent the ordinance back to committee, with members divided over regulatory needs, economic impacts and potential litigation.
Shelby County Commissioner Henri Brooks introduced an ordinance that would impose a 12-month moratorium on data centers in the county’s unincorporated areas, aligning with a similar proposal under consideration by the Memphis City Council. The county commission withheld a vote and returned the measure to committee without a favorable recommendation. Any moratorium would not automatically apply within suburban municipalities, which would need to adopt their own rules.
Commissioners remain split between using a pause to develop regulations and avoiding policies that could drive away investment and tax revenue. Opponents of the moratorium also argued that a broad restriction could treat small data operations and large facilities alike. Assistant County Attorney Craig Barnes warned that such moratoriums have prompted lawsuits elsewhere alleging constitutional violations, while supporters said the county needs time to understand data centers’ zoning, environmental and public health implications.