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The Data Center Divide

Freeborn County

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

Mixed Data Center Policies

Freeborn County’s temporary moratorium blocks data-center permits in unincorporated areas through August 19, 2027, delaying covered projects but not permanently banning them. It does not cover incorporated municipalities.

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

Specific to Freeborn County only.

current law · Unincorporated areas
Extends the moratorium on accepting, processing, or approving data center permits in unincorporated Freeborn County through August 19, 2027.Freeborn County Temporary Interim Zoning Ordinance No. 25-244 (2025)

What this means

The measure extends a temporary moratorium on data-center permits in Freeborn County’s unincorporated areas through August 19, 2027, [continuing the original restrictions](https://freeborncomn.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=915,plainText=false#:~:text=extends%20the%20moratorium%20in%20Ordinance%20No.%2025-244%20for%20one%20year). That blocks covered projects from moving through the county’s permit process during the extension, a substantial temporary barrier, though it is not a permanent ban.

Timing

Ends
Aug 19, 2027

The data-center moratorium was extended for one year through this date, continuing the restrictions in the original ordinance. The extension is authorized for up to one additional year while the County conducts, or in good faith intends to conduct, studies to adopt or amend land-use controls; County staff are directed to complete the study and publish the resolution.

People behind it

  • Submitted agenda requests for the Decision Points and Coffee Connections grant acceptances, the vacant Probation Officer position, Sara Pardoe’s collaborative appointment, and the preliminary 2027 tax levy.

  • Submitted the agenda request to fill the vacant Probation Officer position.

  • Submitted the Public Health agenda requests for the Medica agreement, Oakwood Sober Living funding, and Amber Converse’s WIC services agreement.

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  • Submitted the Auditor-Treasurer agenda requests concerning the erroneous forfeiture and the CD 68 hearing.

  • Submitted the Public Works agenda requests for the final payments and five-year bridge plan.

  • Submitted the Human Services agenda request to fill the vacant case-manager position.

  • Submitted the Sheriff’s Office agenda requests to accept the teddy-bear donation and fill a vacant patrol deputy position.

  • Prepared the Planning Commission report and proposed amendment materials for the Energy Storage Systems ordinance.

  • Submitted and signed Oakwood Sober Living’s application for the Supportive Housing Pilot funding.

  • Introduced the Steele conditional-use permit, data-center moratorium extension, forfeiture cancellation, Avenu tax-software ratification, and MCAPS contract renewal measures.

  • Introduced measures concerning the vacant Human Services position, the vacant Probation Officer position, the Medica agreement, final payment for CP 026-M-002, the Community Health Worker grant, the freight grant application, and the Crime Victims Crisis Center grant.

  • Introduced measures concerning the Broadway Avenue no-parking zone, medical examiner agreement, Sara Pardoe’s appointment, final payment for CP 026-M-004, the initial data-center and energy-storage moratoria, the Family Home Visiting grant, and the local emergency declaration.

  • Introduced the Coffee Connections grant acceptance and the motion requesting quarterly Shared Resources Committee meetings.

  • Jointly petitioned with the Shell Rock River Watershed District for the County Ditch 55 modification, impoundment, and partial abandonment.

  • Jointly petitioned with the State of Minnesota for the County Ditch 55 modification, impoundment, and partial abandonment.

  • Applied for the conditional-use permit for a stand-alone accessory building.

  • Applied for the conditional-use permit for sand and gravel extraction on property owned by Houg Brothers LLC.

  • Directed County staff to draft the Energy Storage Systems ordinance and reviewed its proposed amendments.

  • Proposed the Supportive Housing Pilot for which the County was asked to award opioid settlement funds.

  • Was assigned authority to design, implement, and manage the Employee Recognition Program policy.

  • Named joint-resolution party urging completion of the Blazing Star State Trail.

  • Named joint-resolution party urging completion of the Blazing Star State Trail.

  • Named joint-resolution party urging completion of the Blazing Star State Trail.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • A temporary moratorium bars accepting, processing, or approving permits for data centers in unincorporated Freeborn County. It was extended through August 19, 2027, with the original restrictions continuing during the extension (moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of permits).

Sources

current law · Unincorporated areas
Extends the moratorium on accepting, processing, or approving data center permits in unincorporated Freeborn County through August 19, 2027.Freeborn County Resolution No. 26-224 (2026)

What this means

The measure would extend a moratorium that restricts accepting, processing, and approving data-center permits in [unincorporated Freeborn County](https://freeborncomn.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=915,plainText=false#:~:text=instituted%20a%2012-month%20temporary%20moratorium%20on%20the%20acceptance%2C%20processing%2C%20and%20approval%20of%20permits%20for%20Data%20Centers) through August 19, 2027. That blocks new projects during the moratorium and causes substantial delay, though the restriction is temporary and does not cover incorporated municipalities.

Timing

Ends
Aug 19, 2027

Expressly extends the moratorium for one year, through August 19, 2027; this is a stated end date, not a calculated expiration.

People behind it

  • Offers the resolution; first name not established by the reviewed minutes.

  • Seconds the resolution.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • Continues the pause on acceptance, processing, and approval of permits for Data Centers in unincorporated Freeborn County.

  • Extends the moratorium through August 19, 2027, continuing all restrictions in the original ordinance.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1

  • None identified in the reviewed resolution; its operative clause extends the moratorium.

Sources

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