Public Invited to Presentation, Q&A Session on Missoula County Data Center Draft Study
Posted on October 19, 2026
Missoula County will host a presentation and question-and-answer session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, for residents to learn more about a draft study on the impacts of data centers and potential options to address them.
The event will take place in the Home Arts Building at the Missoula County Fairgrounds, 1101 South Ave. W. It will open with a short presentation by staff with the Planning, Development and Sustainability Department, followed by a participant Q&A session. To ensure adequate time for all questions, participants should plan to limit theirs to 3 minutes each, with the potential to go back around if there is time remaining at the end.
PDS staff initiated the study in July after the Missoula County commissioners adopted a one-year moratorium on new data centers using Montana’s interim zoning statutes. Counties can use interim zoning to address an emergency involving public health, safety, morals or general welfare. The interim zoning law requires staff to complete the study before pursuing any potential solutions. Staff will share their research on data centers and the options available to prevent, reduce or eliminate adverse impacts, such as substantial energy consumption, water quantity and quality impacts, air quality impacts, heat, noise and vibration. The second phase of this project – pursuing solutions - will begin after completion of the study phase.
The draft study will be available online Wednesday, Oct. 21, on missoulacountyvoice.com. Staff also will provide an overview of the draft study at the following public meetings:
- Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m.: Missoula Consolidated Land Use Board
- In-person location: Missoula County Courthouse, Sophie Moiese Room (200 W. Broadway)
- Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting on a device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published on the Consolidated Land Use Board page.
- Thursday, Nov. 12, 2 p.m.: Missoula County commissioners’ public hearing meeting:
- In-person location: Missoula County Courthouse Annex, Sophie Moiese Room (200 W. Broadway)
- Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on via phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on a device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published online.
Residents can provide public comment at those two meetings as well as online at missoulacountyvoice.com.
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