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.
Howard Township
Neutral Data Center Policies
Cass County’s resolution does not directly restrict or delay data-center construction or operations, or add costs. It encourages other local bodies to adopt rules and promote disclosure, but does not require them.
Rating and summary from Cass County as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Howard Township.
unknown · Charter Township of HowardProposes prohibiting the Township from accepting or processing data center applications for up to one year, or until new regulations take effect.Howard Township Ordinance No. 237 (2026)
What this means
If enacted, the measure would stop the Township from accepting or processing data center applications for up to one year, or until relevant zoning amendments take effect, making new construction or expansion substantially harder and delaying projects (temporary moratorium). It does not expressly restrict the operation of existing data centers.
Timing
- Ends
- One (1) year from the effective date of the ordinance, or earlier upon the effective date of amended or new ordinances or regulations addressing Data Centers and/or BESS, whichever occurs first.
The moratorium applies to applications for Data Centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems. The Township Board may extend it by resolution before expiration to allow additional time to complete ordinance or regulatory amendments.
People behind it
- Howard Township Board of Trustees
Proposed, considered, directed, and voted on the temporary moratorium measures.
- Howard Township Planning Commission
Directed to research and prepare the temporary moratorium zoning ordinance text amendment and submit recommendations after a public hearing.
- Sheri Wozniak
Township Clerk responsible for certifying the measures and administering publication and effective-date records.
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- Bill Kasprzak
Township Supervisor who signed the adopted non-zoning temporary moratorium ordinance.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements6
Howard Township’s zoning ordinance does not allow data centers as a permitted or special land use in any zoning district.
A non-zoning moratorium bars the Township from accepting or processing applications for data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS) for one year from the ordinance’s effective date, or until new or amended regulations addressing them take effect, whichever occurs first.
A zoning moratorium bars the acceptance or processing of data-center applications for one year from the zoning ordinance’s effective date, or until zoning amendments take effect, whichever occurs first.
The Township Board may extend either moratorium by resolution before it expires to allow additional time to complete ordinance or regulatory changes.
A zoning moratorium must be recommended by the Planning Commission after a public hearing and imposed by Township Board ordinance.
The zoning moratorium ordinance takes effect eight days after publication, creating a waiting period before it becomes effective.
Sources
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