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Salem council creates task force to draft data‑center policy and hold town halls by year end
Summary
The council authorized a task force of council members, residents, unions and workforce representatives to hold town halls and deliver recommended policies for managing data‑center growth in Salem by Dec. 31, 2026.
Councilor Mickey Varney moved to authorize a task force (up to nine members, including council representation, three citizens at large, union representatives and at least one workforce development representative) to hold at least three town‑hall meetings and draft recommended policy options for data‑center siting and oversight. "My intended outcome of this was to make sure that the city...goes through a transparent process with council and public input from the start," Varney said.
The task force was approved after council comment about membership balance and whether Verus should be required to participate in outreach. Council and staff emphasized the task force is a policy and outreach body—any formal land‑use application would follow state and city procedures. The motion directs staff to return a draft policy by December 31, 2026.
