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.
Cedar County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Neutral Data Center Policies
Cedar County has enacted a 12-month pause, possibly extended by six months, on new data center projects and related permits in unincorporated areas. Existing facilities and projects already under construction are exempt.
Rating from Missouri statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Cedar County.
Specific to Cedar County only.
current law · Unincorporated areasTemporarily prohibits permits, construction, expansion, and operation of new data centers in unincorporated Cedar County for 12 months, with a possible six-month extension.Missouri Cedar County Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers (2026)
What this means
The measure would pause new data center construction, expansion, operation, and related permits in unincorporated Cedar County for 12 months, with a possible six-month extension. Existing facilities and projects already under construction would be exempt, but the pause would substantially hinder new projects during that period.
Timing
- Ends
- 12 months from the date of adoption
The County Commission may extend the moratorium once for up to six months by further order at a duly noticed public meeting, supported by written findings that comprehensive regulations cannot be finalized before expiration or that additional time is otherwise necessary.
People behind it
- Kenneth Thornton
Moved to pass the temporary moratorium ordinance and, with the other commissioners, enacted it.
- Ron Alumbaugh
Seconded the motion to pass the temporary moratorium ordinance and, with the other commissioners, enacted it.
- Ted Anderson
With the other commissioners, enacted the moratorium.
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- Cedar County Commission
Enacted and adopted the temporary moratorium.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
For 12 months after adoption, construction, establishment, operation, or expansion of covered data centers is barred in unincorporated Cedar County, and related permits may not be issued. The rule covers facilities of at least 2,500 square feet or with IT power capacity of at least 250 kW. It excludes existing facilities; projects with on-site construction physically underway before adoption (grading or site preparation alone does not qualify); qualifying small, co-located server installations used solely for a business’s internal operations that are no larger than 2,500 square feet and consume less than 250 kW; and specified regulated utilities when providing public electricity or telecommunications service, but not their data-processing or storage operations.
The County Commission may extend the moratorium once, for up to six additional months, by an order adopted at a duly noticed public meeting and supported by written findings.
For violations, the County may seek a court order to stop construction or require removal of non-compliant facilities, and may recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses from the violating party.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Existing data centers and projects with on-site construction physically begun before the moratorium’s adoption are exempt. Site grading or preparation alone does not count as construction.
A server room, network closet, or similar installation used solely for a business’s internal operations is excluded from the data-center definition if it occupies no more than 2,500 square feet and consumes less than 250 kilowatts.
Sources
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