Georgetown extends data center moratorium to June 2027

The Georgetown City Council in Kentucky voted unanimously to extend the city’s data center moratorium for a second time, moving its expiration date to June 30, 2027. Councilwoman Karen Tingle Sames said Georgetown lacks the resources to support a data center, while Mayor Burney Jenkins said the extension would give officials and the planning and zoning staff more time to develop regulations.

Georgetown has begun drafting legislation that could ban hyperscale data centers. Jenkins acknowledged that such a ban may be difficult because data centers are legitimate businesses and said the city should establish strict restrictions as a fallback. Council member Kim Menke also supported the moratorium, saying officials need standards to evaluate data centers’ infrastructure needs, benefits and potential impacts before deciding whether they are suitable for the community.