RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Pennington County Planning & Zoning Department has proposed a temporary moratorium on the development of data centers within the county. The intent behind the proposed pause is to allow time for thoughtful planning, research, and the development of appropriate regulatory frameworks for these large-scale facilities—not to prevent their future establishment in the region.
“There’s been some confusion about our intent,” said Brittney Molitor, Planning & Zoning Director. “We are not against data centers. In fact, we recognize the potential economic benefits they can bring. A moratorium is simply a temporary pause. It gives us the opportunity to understand these complex developments and ensure we have regulations in place that work for everyone—developers, utilities, and our community.”
Currently, Pennington County lacks specific ordinances to address data centers. As a result, any application would require multiple variances and a conditional use permit—a process described as cumbersome during the April 1st commission meeting. The temporary hold would give the Planning & Zoning Department time to gather industry input, examine best practices from other jurisdictions, and engage with key stakeholders.
The topic will be revisited at the Board of Commissioners meeting on April 15, 2025, where further discussion is expected. Planning officials, including staff currently attending national planning conferences, are gathering data to bring back to the Commission for consideration.
“Our priority is to ensure that when data centers come, we’re ready to welcome them with a clear and fair process,” said Molitor. “This is about doing things the right way.”
