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.
Black Hawk County
Neutral Data Center Policies
Iowa offers qualifying data centers tax exemptions and refunds, including for leased facilities, but requires eligibility standards and annual reporting; some electricity and backup-fuel tax breaks expire after 10 or 15 years. Data centers are excluded from two incentive programs, while sustainable-design standards apply only to facilities seeking that approval.
Rating and summary from Iowa statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Black Hawk County.
Specific to Black Hawk County only.
failed · County project: Unincorporated area at or near 8226 West Griffith RoadDenies the proposed rezoning needed to build a data center on 0.96 acres at 8226 West Griffith Road.Black Hawk County Board of Adjustment denial of AUR Iowa Farm data center rezoning and special permits (2022)
What this means
The county commission and supervisors denied the rezoning and special-permit requests needed for the proposed data center, blocking development at the identified sites (requests were denied). This is a significant barrier for that project, but it is not a countywide ban or a general rule for all data centers.
People behind it
- AUR Iowa Farm, LLC
Submitted the requests to rezone property for construction of a data center.
- Trelka
Moved the resolutions concerning the AUR Iowa Farm, LLC rezoning request and the Mixdorf rezoning ordinance.
- Laylin
Seconded the motions concerning the AUR Iowa Farm, LLC rezoning request and the Mixdorf rezoning ordinance.
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- Josh and Hannah Mixdorf
Submitted the request to rezone property for construction of a single-family home.
- Agee
Moved the Planning and Zoning Commission motions to deny the AUR Iowa Farm, LLC rezoning and special-permit requests.
- Schaefer
Seconded the Planning and Zoning Commission motions to deny the AUR Iowa Farm, LLC rezoning and special-permit requests.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5
The Planning and Zoning Commission denied AUR Iowa Farm, LLC’s request to rezone 1.164 acres west of 8226 West Griffith Road from Agricultural to Commercial-Manufacturing for a data center. The request to deny was unanimously approved.
The Planning and Zoning Commission denied AUR Iowa Farm, LLC’s special-permit request for the west-of-8226 site, which would have allowed a data center in the 100-year floodplain, required fill to elevate the buildings three feet above base flood elevation, and allowed access from a gravel road. The request to deny was unanimously approved.
The Planning and Zoning Commission denied AUR Iowa Farm, LLC’s request to rezone 0.96 acres at 8226 West Griffith Road from Agricultural to Commercial-Manufacturing for a data center. The request to deny carried with a 5 to 1 vote.
The Planning and Zoning Commission denied AUR Iowa Farm, LLC’s special-permit request to allow a data center off a gravel road at 8226 West Griffith Road in the Commercial-Manufacturing District. The request to deny carried with a 5 to 1 vote.
The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors denied the requested rezoning of 0.96 acres at 8226 West Griffith Road from Agricultural to Commercial-Manufacturing, preventing the proposed data center from proceeding under that zoning request. The request for the same to be rezoned ... is hereby DENIED.
Sources
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