The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Starke County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Starke County has enacted a temporary pause of up to one year on permit applications for hyperscale data centers in unincorporated areas, delaying new construction or expansion; existing operations do not appear restricted.
Rating from Indiana statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Starke County.
Specific to Starke County only.
current law · Unincorporated areasTemporarily prohibits permits and related applications for hyperscale data centers and their supporting facilities in unincorporated Starke County for up to one year.Indiana Ordinance 2025-37 (2025)
What this means
The measure would pause permit applications for hyperscale data center projects in unincorporated Starke County for up to one year, making new construction or expansion substantially harder during that period. It does not appear to restrict the operation of existing data centers, and the pause is temporary.
Timing
- Ends
- Not to exceed one (1) year
The adopted ordinance imposes a temporary moratorium on permits and related applications for hyperscale data center projects. The available notice says it is not to exceed one year and reports adoption on 2025-12-15, but does not specify an exact expiration date or any extension condition. not to exceed one (1) year
People behind it
- Starke County Planning Commission (also identified as the Starke County Advisory Planning Commission)
Proposed the temporary moratorium and certified a favorable recommendation for its adoption.
- Amber Janson
Identified as the Planning Commission Administrator on the public hearing notice.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
For up to one year, the ordinance places a moratorium on receiving, processing, or issuing improvement location permits or related applications for hyperscale data center projects and associated storage, water-conservation, cooling, building, and appurtenant facilities. It applies in all zoning districts in unincorporated Starke County. (moratorium, not to exceed one (1) year; all zoning districts within the unincorporated areas)
Sources
Specific to Starke County only.
pending · Unincorporated areasProhibits commercial data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, and server farms in unincorporated Starke County, along with certain infrastructure built primarily to support them.Indiana Starke County Commercial Data Center Prohibition Ordinance (2026)
What this means
If enacted, the measure would ban commercial data centers in unincorporated areas governed by the Starke County Plan Commission, and also restrict certain supporting facilities. It does not apply inside Knox, North Judson, or Hamlet, and includes exceptions for some smaller computer rooms and utility or telecom equipment.
People behind it
- Starke County Plan Commission
Considered Resolution 2026-PC-15 to define and prohibit commercial data centers and voted to recommend forwarding the measure to the Board of Commissioners (vote to approve/deny the forwarding; the report says the Commission voted six in favor](https://wkvi.com/2026/10/starke-county-commissioners-approve-ban-on-commercial-data-centers/#:~:text=voted%20six%20in%20favor)).
- Starke County Board of Commissioners
Approved the ordinance banning commercial data centers on October 19, 2026 (The Starke County Commissioners have approved an ordinance).
- John McCurrie III
Identified as Secretary/Director of Planning and Building; the draft findings direct the Director of Planning and Building to forward the findings to the Board of Commissioners (directed to forward these Findings of Fact).
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4
Bans commercial data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, and server farms in unincorporated areas governed by the Starke County Plan Commission; the ban does not apply within Knox, North Judson, or Hamlet. The ban applies to unincorporated parts and includes cryptocurrency mining facilities and server farms.
Also prohibits certain water-intensive cooling systems and electrical substations and battery-storage facilities built primarily to support the prohibited data centers. The new regulations also prohibit certain cooling systems.
Exempts certain smaller computer rooms and equipment used by public utilities and telecommunications providers. The ordinance includes exceptions for certain smaller computer rooms.
Takes effect only after the required legal publication. It will take effect following the required legal publication.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
An exception allows certain smaller computer rooms; the sources do not specify size limits.
An exception allows equipment used by public utilities and telecommunications providers.
Sources
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