1 data center project in Smithfield Town
Who decides here: the Town Council of Smithfield Town votes on zoning. The Providence County may review big projects too.
In Smithfield Town
Local votes and rules
⚖️ Court case
The developers of the Hanton City business park (Hanton City Investments LLC and ROK LLC) sued the town and its council. They say their plans were complete before the data center ban took effect, so the old rules should apply. More filings came on Sept. 15, 2026. The case is not decided.
📌 Other
On June 11, 2026, the town planning director said the Hanton City plans were still incomplete. The developers appealed to the Zoning Board. The hearing was put off several times. On Oct. 7, 2026, it was moved again, to January 2027, because of the lawsuits. If the developers win, the plans go to the Planning Board for public hearings.
🚫 Ban
The Town Council voted 4-1 to change the zoning rules so data centers are not allowed in any part of town. The change took effect 30 days later, in early June 2026. A developer filed plans for a business park with a data center one day before the vote, and is fighting the town over which rules apply.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Smithfield Town. - Go to council meetings.
Anyone can speak. Big projects usually need a public hearing. - Ask questions in writing.
Use our checklist.
🔔 Get told first
⚡ Your electric company
The Narragansett Electric Co. (company).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in Rhode Island.
🙋 Open tasks here
- What did the Zoning Board of Review decide on the developers' appeal on Oct. 7, 2026?
- How many acres would the project use, and how much power (megawatts) would the data center need?
- Where would the water and electricity come from, and would new power lines be needed?
- Which company would use the data center?
- Did the Town of Smithfield sign a secret deal (NDA) about this project?