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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Putnam County

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

Mixed Data Center Policies

Putnam County has enacted temporary moratoriums that delay data-center applications and restrict new medium- and large-scale projects until at least August 30, 2027; small data centers are excluded.

Rating from Florida statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Putnam County.

Specific to Putnam County only.

current law · County measure
Temporarily bars Putnam County from accepting, processing, or voting on applications to develop, build, expand, or operate data centers for six months.Putnam County Florida Ordinance 2026-O-01 (2026)

What this means

The measure would pause receiving, processing, or voting on data center applications to build, expand, or operate for six months, causing a substantial delay. It is temporary, not a permanent ban (six-month moratorium).

Timing

The sources describe two different Putnam County measures. The Illinois meeting minutes specify a six-month moratorium that may be extended or rescinded by the board. The Florida article says its ban remains in place until at least 2027-08-30, so it does not establish a definite expiration date.

People behind it

  • Prepared the ordinance addressing both proposed moratorium items.

  • Moved to approve the six-month moratorium ordinance.

  • Seconded the motion to approve the moratorium ordinance.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • Putnam County, Illinois, imposed a six-month moratorium on receiving, processing, or voting on applications to develop, construct, expand, or operate any data center. The board said it could rescind or extend the moratorium. six-month moratorium

  • Putnam County, Florida, temporarily barred development and construction of medium- and large-scale data centers; the ordinance took effect immediately and remains in place until at least August 30, 2027. Medium-scale projects have 2,000–5,000 servers and 5–49 megawatts of capacity; large-scale projects have capacity of 50 megawatts or more. Small-scale centers are not covered. medium- and large-scale data centers

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2

  • Small-scale data centers are outside the moratorium; the article says the county’s own small technology system does not meet the thresholds of concern. doesn’t apply to small-scale data centers

  • While the moratorium is in effect, the county cannot amend land-use codes that would affect or regulate data centers, preserving the existing regulatory framework during that period. prohibited from amending any land use codes

Sources

current law · County measure
Temporarily prohibits new medium- and large-scale data center projects in Putnam County and blocks the county from processing related applications until at least August 30, 2027.Putnam County Ordinance 2026-614

What this means

The measure would stop new medium- and large-scale data center projects in Putnam County for up to about a year, creating a major obstacle for projects in that category (the moratorium takes effect immediately and lasts until at least Aug. 30, 2027). Small data centers are excluded, so the restriction is serious but not a complete ban on all data centers (the ordinance doesn’t apply to small-scale data centers).

Timing

Reporting confirms immediate effect and duration until at least August 30, 2027. That date is a reported minimum duration, not a verified automatic sunset. WCJB summarizes the term as until September of next year. Exact expiration, extension and early-termination terms remain unverified.

People behind it

  • County Attorney; explains small-scale exclusion

  • Board Chairwoman; discusses public participation

  • Development Services Executive Director

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3

  • Post-adoption reporting describes a temporary block on medium- and large-scale data centers.

  • Reported definitions cover medium-scale projects with 2,000–5,000 servers and 5–49 MW capacity and large-scale facilities using 50 MW or more.

  • Pre-adoption reporting describes a bar on county employees accepting, processing, reviewing or considering applications; final adopted wording is not verified.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • The county attorney says the ordinance does not apply to small-scale data centers; precise exemption wording remains unverified.

Sources

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