1 data center project in Rapid City City
Who decides here: the City Council of Rapid City City votes on zoning. The Pennington County may review big projects too.
In Rapid City City
Local votes and rules
📜 Data center rules
Rapid City proposed data center rules (Ordinance 6746). The draft bans hyperscale data centers (50 MW or more, or over 10,000 gallons of water a day) in the city. Smaller ones would need distance from homes, a sound study, and non-water cooling. The Planning Commission put off its vote to Nov. 5, 2026. The city holds an open house on Oct. 14, 5-7:30 p.m., at City Hall.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Rapid City City. - 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
Depending on where you live in Rapid City City: Wapa-- Western Area Power Administration (public) or Black Hills Power, Inc. (company) or City of Aurora (not available) or West River Electric Assn Inc. (co-op (owned by its members)) or Black Hills Electric Co-op, Inc. (co-op (owned by its members)).
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
- Is the full size 10 MW or 15 MW?
- Has the city issued a building permit?
- Will Rapid City's new data center rules apply to this project?