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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Carroll County

This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.

Anti-Data Center Policies

Carroll County enacted a one-year pause on qualifying data center projects in unincorporated areas, with some exceptions, and noise controls whose practical burden is unclear.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Regulates data-center noise in Carroll County to prevent disturbances.Carroll County, Arkansas Emergency Ordinance Concerning External Noise Attenuation of Data Centers (2023)

What this means

The measure adds noise controls specifically for data centers, which could require operators to spend money on sound reduction or limit how they operate; it was described as particularly limiting the sound volume. It does not ban data centers, but the sources don’t give the actual noise limits or other details, so the practical burden is uncertain.

People behind it

  • Requested the ordinance concerning detention officer positions. The measure was described as a request of the Sheriff.

  • Recommended the Dispatch positions ordinance, along with the Sheriff. The ordinance was described as a recommendation of the Personnel Committee and the Sheriff.

  • Sponsored the emergency ordinance regulating data centers. King sponsored the emergency ordinance.

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  • Moved to authorize the County Judge to apply for a grant on behalf of the South Carroll County Fire Department. Howerton made the motion to authorize the grant application.

  • Was authorized to apply for the grant on behalf of the South Carroll County Fire Department. The court authorized the Judge to apply for the grant.

  • Moved the resolution allowing Jonesy’s Sports Bar and Grill to apply for a liquor license. Deaton made the motion.

  • Moved to appropriate funds to replace the Health Department’s air-conditioning unit. Phillips made the appropriation motion.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Limits noise from data centers, requiring compliance with rules on external noise attenuation and preventing noise disturbance in the county’s unincorporated areas. The sources do not specify a sound threshold or other operating details.

Sources

Specific to Carroll County only.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Temporarily halts construction and county approvals for qualifying data centers in unincorporated Carroll County for 12 months while the county develops regulations.Carroll County, Arkansas Emergency Ordinance 2026-17

What this means

The measure would pause construction and county approvals for a year for data centers and similar facilities meeting its high-demand thresholds in unincorporated Carroll County, creating a major delay for new projects and expansions. It does not appear to stop existing facilities from operating, and it exempts some projects already far along; the moratorium temporarily blocks construction and authorization.

Timing

Ends
twelve (12) months from the effective date of the Ordinance

The moratorium may be repealed earlier by the Quorum Court.

People behind it

  • District 2 Justice of the Peace and co-sponsor of the emergency ordinance.

  • District 3 Justice of the Peace and co-sponsor of the emergency ordinance.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • For 12 months from its effective date, unless repealed earlier, the ordinance bars construction related to covered facilities in unincorporated Carroll County. It exempts projects that, before the ordinance took effect, had a binding utility interconnection agreement, final county approvals, or a complete interconnection application and final utility study acceptance. The moratorium lasts twelve months

  • During the moratorium, county departments and officials may not approve or issue listed discretionary approvals—including conditional-use, development, land-disturbance, site-plan, rezoning, or subdivision approvals—for covered facilities. Applications submitted after the ordinance’s effective date cannot be approved until the moratorium expires or is terminated. No construction-related approvals

  • The restrictions cover data centers and specified digital-computing facilities—including AI computing and cryptocurrency mining—if they require at least 15 megawatts of electricity or at least 100,000 gallons of water per day. The ordinance also covers other industrial uses meeting either threshold. HIDI facility thresholds

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • The moratorium does not apply to projects that, before it took effect, had a binding utility interconnection agreement, received final county approvals, or submitted a complete interconnection application and received final utility study acceptance. The latter requires a final utility determination after required studies are complete; preliminary inquiries and feasibility reviews do not qualify. “shall not apply to projects that”

Sources

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