INDIANAPOLIS — Local governments across Indiana are increasingly moving to slow or stop data center development as officials grapple with how to regulate the fast-growing industry amid concerns over its environmental and infrastructure impacts.
According to Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute, 11 counties have adopted ordinances governing data centers, while at least 17 counties have enacted temporary moratoriums. Marshall and Cass counties have gone a step further by banning new data centers altogether.
The wave of restrictions began in Marshall County before spreading to White and Putnam counties and accelerating across the state. Temporary moratoriums are intended to give local officials time to determine whether they want data centers in their communities and, if so, what regulations should apply…