County board extends data center moratorium for another year as it continues work on ordinance

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously extended the county's moratorium on data centers for an additional year. The decision was made to allow county staff more time to research and establish comprehensive land use controls and a specific ordinance for data centers.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Trevor Bordelon informed the board that his office would likely require the full year to develop the data center ordinance, having focused regulatory efforts on energy storage systems over the past year. The initial temporary interim zoning ordinance and parallel moratorium, adopted in August 2025, were prompted by concerns related to regional energy grid infrastructure, high-voltage utility demands, and public safety.

During the meeting, Fourth District Commissioner Chris Shoff inquired about the number of data centers in Minnesota and other states with similar regulatory approaches, with Bordelon citing Virginia as a reference. Chairman Brad Edwin emphasized the need for data center companies and states to develop their own energy solutions, suggesting nuclear energy as a potential option due to the high consumption requirements. Third District Commissioner Lukas Severson expressed support for the moratorium, stressing the importance of having a robust regulatory framework in place before data centers become more prevalent in the area.