Madison County IN data center moratorium (2026)

Madison County, Indiana Board of Commissioners — unanimous vote in June 2026 for short-term data center moratorium (exact date not confirmed from accessible sources; June per Indiana Public Radio reporting). Effective immediately upon vote. Plan Commission vote: 7-0 to recommend 12-month extension (Jerry Alexander voting present). Extension sent to Commissioners for vote at August 4 meeting (outcome not confirmed in accessible sources). SCOPE: data center permit applications in Madison County; no applications were on file prior to adoption. PLANNING TIMELINE: county staff expected to complete ordinance work by October 2026 for public hearings. OPPOSITION: Madison County Economic Development Corporation (Monique Flores) argued the moratorium would have negative economic growth effects. INDIANA CONTEXT: Madison County joins a substantial cohort — as of July 2026, Indiana University's Environmental Resilience Institute counted 17+ Indiana counties with temporary moratoriums. Commissioner Richwine indicated skepticism of a 1-year pause at the time of the initial vote, suggesting he would prefer a shorter duration with an option to extend. Madison County (seat Anderson) is in central Indiana; borders Howard County (Kokomo, subject to its own data center ordinance process).