The Isanti-Chisago County Star reports…

The city of Cambridge is officially placing a one-year moratorium on the construction of data centers within the city limits.

The council had previously instructed staff to do some initial research into data centers in order to determine if an official moratorium is needed. During an official moratorium, more extensive research will be performed leading up to crafting appropriate ordinances and city codes on the subject. …

estover said staff looked closely at three proposed data centers in Minnesota: at Pine Island, Monticello, and Hermantown. Through that research, staff came to the conclusion that if a hyperscale data center were to be constructed here, most or all of the land would have to be annexed into the city limits. This also means city utilities would need to be extended.

She did note there may be some perceived benefits to a city such as tax base growth, stabilization, and employment opportunities both during construction and once the data center is operational. She added that what would need to be researched very closely is whether those benefits outweigh the negatives that have frequently been voiced across the country. …