Warrick County Commission is first to pause data centers with local ordinance
The Warrick County Commission in Indiana has passed a six-month moratorium on new data center projects, making it the first county to officially do so. This decision came after a public meeting where residents largely expressed concerns about fire safety, water infrastructure, and job creation related to potential data centers like "Project Zora." A committee will now be formed to study data centers in depth during the moratorium period.
Warrick County, Indiana, has become the first local county to officially pass an ordinance implementing a six-month moratorium on new data center projects. The Warrick County Commission approved the measure after a special meeting held in Newburgh, where dozens of residents voiced concerns. The ordinance aims to pause permits for new projects, including a potential development known as "Project Zora" in northern Warrick County, and establishes a committee of subject experts to study data centers in depth during this period.
Public comments at the meeting largely opposed or cautioned against data centers. Logan Beavan, assistant chief of the volunteer Lynnville fire department, highlighted the lack of staff and water infrastructure to handle a large data center fire. Joseph Gollner, a tech industry employee, disputed claims of permanent high-tech jobs, while Ryan McRoberts of IBEW Local 16 emphasized construction jobs. Ryan Stratman of Citizen Action Coalition supported the moratorium, suggesting a longer pause of two years to study health and utility rate impacts.
The ordinance passed a day after the Warrick County Area Plan Commission (APC) pivoted from general regulations to the moratorium due to public feedback. Information about "Project Zora," which reportedly controls 1,200 acres of reclaimed mine land, remains preliminary. Its development team anticipates publicly identifying an end user by year-end and will not submit a permit application before January 2027. The county has not verified the project's claims regarding environmental impact, utility capacity, or economic benefits, and emphasizes that no approvals have been made.