Bullitt County eyes 1-year pause on data center development

SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Bullitt County leaders are preparing to vote on a one-year moratorium that would temporarily halt consideration of new data center projects while officials develop regulations for future information technology development.

The Bullitt County Fiscal Court is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the proposed moratorium. If approved, no new data center projects could be considered in the county for the next year.

The county hasn't been approached about possible development at this point, according to officials.

"We couldn't do it even if there was a real charge for people to want to do it," Bullitt County Judge Executive Jerry Summers said Monday.

Summers said there is "no appetite" for a data center in Bullitt County. He said the infrastructure — namely water and electric — is already stressed and couldn't support a data center right now.

Before the county would even consider such a project, the 12-month pause would allow for proper research on development while the county also reworkings its comprehensive plan. Officials are working to create strict regulations for IT development projects.

Fiscal court members could vote to end or extend the moratorium at any time, and Summers believes the one-year moratorium is a proactive approach to an issue communities around the country are grappling with.

"We want to make sure that we get the right regulations in place, to where if there ever does become an opportunity for this, we have set the right standard and the right goals," Summers said.

The measure would only effect unincorporated areas of Bullitt County, but cities could adopt the moratorium. Summers believes most, if not all, would follow the county's lead.

Shepherdsville Mayor Jose Cubero said that's the plan.

"For Shepherdsville, (a data center) doesn't belong here," he said.

Cubero said he understands the importance of technology and these facilities, but believes more regulation is needed before projects of that magnitude are brought to the table. Regardless, he believes such does not fit in Shepherdsville.

The city council is likely to adopt the moratorium, if it passes at fiscal court, at its July 27 meeting.

"We want to handle this in a way that protects the city but makes it very well known that we don't want data centers in our community," Cubero said.

Data centers are top of mind for many residents, like Angela Sutherland, who has lived in Bullitt County her whole life.

"I mean, there's got to be a better way to do things," she said.

Sutherland started a change.org petition to stop any development in the county and thinks the city is making the right move to hold off for now.

"Hopefully, the companies will come up with a better way to build these data centers everywhere," she said. "Not just here in Bullitt County but everywhere."

The Bullitt County Fiscal Court will vote on the data center moratorium at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.