Pettis County Commission enacts temporary moratorium on data centers

Published 5:00 pm Monday, October 19, 2026

The Pettis County Commission approved a temporary moratorium on data center development in the county, it announced Friday, Oct. 16.

The moratorium, the County says, allows leaders to evaluate the impacts associated with any potential projects.

The moratorium covers buildings, facilities or premises whose primary use is for economic activities involving at least 30 acres of unincorporated county land and/or a value of at least $5 million.

“The moratorium is intended to provide time for the County to evaluate potential impacts associated with these projects and consider whether additional regulations, standards or safeguards are appropriate,” the Commission said in a statement.

The evaluation project includes an economic development study, an environmental impact study, or both.

Under the order, the studies and a review should take place within two years. If they are not complete within that period and are in progress, the moratorium can be continued by another two years. Any action beyond the second set of two years would require further action from the Commission.