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.
Middle Smithfield Township
Anti-Data Center Policies
Middle Smithfield Township allows data centers only in industrial-zoned areas, with conditional-use approval required; this limits possible locations and adds review, but does not ban them.
current law · Middle Smithfield TownshipLimits data centers to conditional-use approval in the township’s Industrial district and prohibits them in all other zoning districts.Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania Data Center Ordinance
What this means
The amendment limits data centers to industrial-zoned land and requires conditional-use approval, which can narrow site choices and add review time. It does not ban them, since the ordinance says they may be allowed in the industrial district [by conditional use](https://ecode360.com/MI1644/laws/LF2805750.pdf#:~:text= A%20data%20center%20use%20shall%20be%20permitted%20as%20a%20conditional%20use%20in%20the%20I%20%E2%80%93%20Industrial%20Zoning%20District).
People behind it
- Board of Supervisors of Middle Smithfield Township
Legislative body that ordained and enacted Ordinance No. 253.
- Annette Atkinson
Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors and signatory to the enacted ordinance.
- Mark Oney
Vice Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors and signatory to the enacted ordinance.
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- John Huddleston
Supervisor and signatory to the enacted ordinance.
- Michele Clewell
Township Secretary and signatory to the enacted ordinance.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Data centers may operate only as a conditional use in the I–Industrial Zoning District, requiring conditional-use approval rather than being permitted by right. permitted as a conditional use in the I – Industrial Zoning District
Data centers are not permitted in any zoning district other than the I–Industrial District. shall be “N” (Not Permitted) in all other zoning districts
A data center must comply with the applicable data-center zoning provisions, all Township ordinances, and applicable federal and state statutes. subject to compliance with this section and all applicable Township ordinances and federal and state statutes
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Allows a data center use as a conditional use in the Industrial (I) zoning district, subject to compliance with the applicable zoning section, Township ordinances, and federal and state laws. Data centers are not permitted in the other zoning districts.
Sources
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