Chippewa County is putting a temporary hold on new data center development while officials consider regulations for the growing industry.
The County Board unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on data centers during its August 11th meeting. Board Chair Jason Bergeron says data center development has moved faster than local zoning rules, and the pause will give the county time to do its due diligence.
Officials emphasize there are currently no data center proposals in Chippewa County. The moratorium is intended to give the county time to develop rules addressing potential impacts on residents, energy, land and water.
The pause applies only in towns that have adopted county zoning, where Chippewa County has zoning authority.
The action comes amid growing debate over large-scale data center developments elsewhere in western Wisconsin.
