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.
Kershaw County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Kershaw County’s enacted ordinance pauses approvals for data centers and related facilities for 12 months, including covered expansions, though its description phrases this conditionally; it directs the County to develop future rules and does not expressly bar existing operations.
Rating from South Carolina statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Kershaw County.
Specific to Kershaw County only.
current law · Unincorporated areasKershaw County Council adopted a one-year moratorium on September 22, 2026, halting the acceptance and review of applications for data centers, data-processing facilities, and cryptocurrency-mining operations in the county.South Carolina Kershaw County Temporary Data Center Moratorium Ordinance (2026)
What this means
If enacted, this measure would pause county approvals for building data centers and related facilities for 12 months, making new development and covered expansions substantially harder during that period (a twelve-month moratorium). It also directs the County to develop future rules; it does not expressly ban operation of existing facilities.
Timing
- Ends
- twelve (12) months from the third reading date of this ordinance
The moratorium applies to applications and County actions authorizing or permitting data centers, data processing facilities, and cryptocurrency mining operations. It may be extended by a duly enacted Kershaw County Council resolution stating the factual basis and policy rationale for the extension.
People behind it
- Kershaw County
Applicant and identified proponent of the zoning text amendments concerning hospital and medical-facility directional signs and exempt subdivisions; also responsible for the proposed data-center moratorium.
- Kershaw County Planning and Zoning Department
County department that proposed and prepared the zoning text amendments concerning directional signs, exempt subdivisions, and fire-hydrant requirements.
- Kershaw County Fire Service
Co-proponent of the zoning text amendment clarifying fire-hydrant and fire-protection requirements for major and minor subdivisions.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
A temporary moratorium prohibits the County from accepting, reviewing, or taking action on applications for zoning approvals, construction permits, site plan approvals, or any other official County action that would authorize or permit the development or construction of data centers, data processing facilities, or cryptocurrency mining operations.
The moratorium lasts 12 months from the ordinance’s third-reading date, unless the County Council extends it by a duly enacted resolution that states the factual basis and policy rationale for the extension.
Under the Pending Ordinance Doctrine, any pending or forthcoming land-use application or plan for a data center, data processing facility, or cryptocurrency mining operation must be denied upon the ordinance’s first reading.
Sources
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