Sedgwick County Schedules Data Center Town Halls

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) adopted a 90-day resolution, set to expire April 17, 2026, to allow for the review and development of zoning regulations and pause any potential applications of data centers. Below is a timeline of activities regarding data centers on this resolution:

·         July 1, 2025 – Kansas SB 98 becomes law, implementing a 20-year state and local tax exemption for data centers in Kansas.

·         Jan. 14, 2026 - BoCC adopts interim development control resolution for 90 days.

·         April 17, 2026 - End of 90-day interim development control resolution

Sedgwick County leadership staff is prepared to propose to BoCC on March 4, 2026, an extension of the interim development control resolution to June 11, 2026, due to the need for additional public communication and process development.

Sedgwick County will be holding two opportunities for an update and public feedback. BoCC will host a Listening Town Hall on Thursday, March 12, at 6 p.m. on data centers, which will include an opportunity for public comment. No action will be taken at this event. More information will be released as plans are finalized.

“It’s important that we listen to the public on this large economic development opportunity for Sedgwick County,” says Chairman Jeff Blubaugh. “Public discussion and transparency are vital parts of this process.”

The Planning Department will host a town hall on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, to discuss zoning protocols currently in place, what has been explored and provide an opportunity for public discussion and feedback. More information will be released as plans are finalized.

The Board of County Commissioners is set on exploring all possibilities and not rushing the data center zoning process. Sedgwick County has no data center applications on file at this time and is committed to a transparent, public process that ensures community input.