News and Project Information

Data Center and Cryptocurrency Standards in Morton County

In September, 2024 Morton County adopted a moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities. This means that none of these facilities may be permitted in the County until the County develops and adopts siting and performance standards for these facilities. A moratorium cannot continue indefinitely. A Data Center Model Ordinance Working Group, completed a model ordinance for the state in January 2026. That working group consisted of representation from the ND League of Cities, ND Association of Counties, ND Planning Association, utility interests, and data center industry advocates/Applied Digital.

Morton County Planning & Zoning staff presented drafts of data center specific use standards at the February 25 and March 25 regular meetings of the Planning & Zoning Commission. A revised draft was presented at the April 22, 2026 regular meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission. We sincerely apologize for the technical difficulties that made online attendees unable to receive audio from the meeting. The data center specific use standards draft will have a public hearing at a future Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. If you have comments or suggested changes to the draft, please send those comments to the Planning & Zoning Department as far in advance of the next Planning & Zoning Commission meeting as possible so that those comments and suggestions can be incorporated into the draft.

At the May 27, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, there will be a discussion about the possibility of assigning a subcommittee of the Planning & Zoning Commission to further develop specific use standards for data centers. Planning & Zoning Commission bylaws can be found here.