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.
Iron County
Pro-Data Center Policies
Wisconsin offers certified data centers a sales-tax exemption on qualifying construction, equipment, operations, and electricity, provided they meet county-dependent investment minimums within five years. The source also describes the enacted law as a proposed measure, creating a conflict in its descriptions.
Rating and summary from Wisconsin statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Iron County.
Specific to Iron County only.
pending · County measureProposes an interim moratorium on data-center and battery-energy-storage-system development to give Iron County time to prepare for potential applications and develop an organized permitting approach; the measure remained a draft pending Corporation Counsel guidance and a public hearing, and was not reported as adopted or effective.Iron County Resolution No. 2026-4088 (2026)
What this means
The proposed moratorium would delay data center development while the county considers its approach, creating a significant barrier; the minutes describe it as a way to prepare for requests and continue discussions (“allow the County to begin and continue discussions”). The source gives no duration or detailed terms, so it does not support treating it as a permanent ban.
Timing
The committee discussed a draft interim moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage system development, but the sources do not state an expiration date, ending condition, or extension condition.
People behind it
- Erika Roeder
Director of the Zoning Department who provided the committee with the draft interim moratorium resolution and administered the related zoning process.
- Mercer School District
Requested a waiver of the $64 permit fee for its storage structure.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
An interim moratorium is proposed on the development of data centers and battery energy storage systems in Iron County, temporarily preventing or delaying such projects while the County develops an organized regulatory approach.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data