Spokane County reverses course, approving four-month data center pause

After public criticism, county commissioners unanimously approve a short moratorium on data center development.

By: Aaron Hedge

Outlets: RANGE Media

Published: August 19, 2026

Words: 531

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

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After weeks of relentless criticism from constituents accusing county officials of secrecy, the Spokane County Board of Commissioners reversed course on data center development Tuesday, unanimously approving a four-month pause on new permits for the centers.

County legal and planning staff had developed the proposal for the shorter pause after commissioners split 3-2 along party lines last month on a nine-month moratorium on approvals for new data centers. The facilities can be resource-intensive, housing computing …

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