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Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Ringgold County

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

Neutral Data Center Policies

Ringgold County has enacted a 12-month pause on new data center applications in unincorporated areas; the descriptions conflict on enactment, and the pause excludes incorporated towns.

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

Specific to Ringgold County only.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Prohibits Ringgold County from accepting or approving applications to build new data centers in unincorporated areas for 12 months, unless the moratorium ends earlier or is extended.Ringgold County Resolution RC26-97 — Proposed Data Center Moratorium Publication and Hearings

What this means

If enacted, the ordinance would stop the county from accepting or approving applications to build new data centers in unincorporated areas for 12 months, causing a major delay for those projects (12-month moratorium). It would not apply to incorporated towns and does not expressly stop existing facilities from operating or expanding; the pause is intended to give the county time to study possible rules.

Timing

Ends
twelve (12) months after adoption

The moratorium applies for twelve months unless earlier terminated or extended by the Board of Supervisors. It may be extended for one or more additional periods if additional time is reasonably necessary to complete the study, analysis, and adoption of appropriate regulations, following notice and a public hearing.

People behind it

  • Proposed, held hearings on, and passed and adopted the data center moratorium ordinance.

  • County Attorney who drafted the proposed data center moratorium.

  • County Auditor who worked with the County Attorney on revisions and administered publication and certification matters.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • A 12-month moratorium bars Ringgold County from accepting, processing, considering, or approving applications to construct a new data center in the county’s unincorporated areas. Incorporated municipalities are excluded from the moratorium.

  • The moratorium may be extended for one or more additional periods if the Board determines that more time is reasonably necessary to complete its study and adopt regulations; any extension requires compliance with applicable law, notice, and a public hearing.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3

  • The moratorium applies only to unincorporated areas of Ringgold County, so data-center projects in incorporated cities and towns are outside its scope. the proposed moratorium would apply only to unincorporated areas

  • The moratorium restricts only applications for construction of a new data center; it does not expressly prohibit operation of existing facilities or applications that do not involve constructing a new data center. shall not accept, process, consider, or approve applications for: A. Construction of a new Data Center

  • The Board may end the moratorium before twelve months by resolution or ordinance if it determines that the study is complete or continued restrictions are no longer necessary. may terminate this moratorium prior to the expiration

Sources

current law · Unincorporated areas
Pauses data center development in Ringgold County’s unincorporated areas for 12 months while the county studies possible regulations.Ringgold County Ordinance RC26.106 — Data Center Moratorium

What this means

If enacted, the proposed 12-month moratorium would temporarily prevent data center development in Ringgold County’s unincorporated areas, creating a substantial delay; it would not apply inside incorporated towns. The hearing notes describe it as a proposed measure, not an enacted law (“proposed 12-month moratorium”).

Timing

Ends
12 months after adoption

The proposed moratorium applies only to unincorporated areas of Ringgold County. The Board may terminate it before the 12-month period ends if it completes its research and is prepared to adopt a permanent ordinance.

People behind it

  • Proposed and conducted the public-hearing and adoption process for the data center moratorium.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Imposes a 12-month moratorium on data centers in the unincorporated areas of Ringgold County; incorporated municipalities are excluded. The Board may terminate the moratorium early if it completes its research and is prepared to adopt a permanent ordinance.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • The proposed 12-month moratorium would apply only to unincorporated areas of Ringgold County, so data-center projects in incorporated municipalities would not be affected by the moratorium.

Sources

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