1 data center project in Unincorporated McPherson County
Who decides here: the McPherson County Commissioners decides on zoning for land outside city and town limits.
In Unincorporated McPherson County
Local votes and rules
📌 Other
The county board heard the permit request (26-CUP-04) for the Leola data center and then postponed its decision after a closed session. No new date was set.
📜 Data center rules
The county drafted changes to its data center rules (Ordinance 2026-1). The draft keeps the one-mile buffer from churches, schools and homes, and adds noise limits and buffer yards. We did not find whether it was adopted.
📜 Data center rules
The county added data center rules (Chapter 5.33, Data Processing Centers) to its zoning code. Data centers need a conditional use permit and must be one mile from any church, school or home.
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
Commissioners paused data center permits until the county wrote data center rules. Those rules were adopted in 2025.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Unincorporated McPherson County. - Go to county meetings.
Anyone can speak. Big projects usually need a public hearing. - Ask questions in writing.
Use our checklist.
🔔 Get told first
⚡ Your electric company
Depending on where you live in Unincorporated McPherson County: Montana-dakota Utilities Co. (company) or Fem Electric Assn, Inc. (not available).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in South Dakota.
🙋 Open tasks here
- When will the McPherson County Board of Adjustment vote on permit 26-CUP-04?
- Who is the tenant or customer for the data center?
- How many diesel backup generators are planned?
- Will the promised community payments be in a signed agreement?