Blackford County bars battery‑storage systems and data centers until ordinances are adopted

At the Nov. 3 meeting, the Board of Commissioners of Blackford County adopted two back‑to‑back resolutions forbidding permitting or construction of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and data centers within the county until individual ordinances are drafted and adopted.

Speaker 2 read Resolution No. 2025‑R9, which states Blackford County currently lacks an ordinance to govern permitting or construction of battery storage systems and resolves that no permitting or construction for BSS/BESS shall be allowed until an ordinance is in place. After a brief opportunity for discussion, a commissioner moved to adopt R9; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote, 3‑0.

The board then read Resolution No. 2025‑R10, which prohibits permitting or construction of data centers in the county until an ordinance to govern such activity is adopted. Commissioners discussed whether the items could be tabled pending broader county action; the chair explained that any future ordinance would require public meetings and multi‑entity approvals before any change could take effect. The motion to adopt R10 was made, seconded and approved 3‑0.

Commissioners said the resolutions preserve the county’s ability to develop ordinance language and ensure public hearings and subordinate approvals occur before permitting activity can proceed. The resolutions take effect upon adoption. The board did not present draft ordinance language during the meeting and said future public meetings would be used to craft any ordinances.