Tennessee Cities Weigh Data Center Moratoriums

At least 10 Tennessee cities and counties have paused new data center construction as local opposition grows.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Data Centers

Tennessee Cities Weigh Data Center Moratoriums

Live Poll

Would you support a moratorium on new data centers in your county?

At least 10 Tennessee cities and counties have enacted moratoriums on data center construction, while the 65 operational facilities in the state remain unaffected. Industry research firms DataCenterMap and Baxtel each identified 65 operational data centers spread across 10 counties.

Why it matters

Data centers have faced growing backlash from communities across Tennessee, and the moratoriums signal how local governments are responding to concerns about the facilities. The debate over the industry's future is expected to continue in city and county planning meetings.

Industry research firms DataCenterMap and Baxtel each identified 65 operational data centers in Tennessee across 10 counties, with Davidson County holding 28, Shelby County 13 and Knox County nine. The long-term effects of these facilities on surrounding communities have not been established.

The players

Jacob Kupin

Metro Council member in Nashville who has expressed concern about the unknown long-term effects of data centers.

PF Global

Research firm that conducted The POLITICO Poll in October, which found American opposition to data centers has nearly doubled since January.

The details

Cities and counties have enacted temporary moratoriums restricting new data center construction, though moratoriums do not affect facilities already in operation. Metro Council member Jacob Kupin said the unknown long-term effects of data centers concern him.

January 2026: Baseline point for the measured rise in national data center opposition.
October 2026: PF Global conducted The POLITICO Poll on data center opposition.
November 2026: Midterm election, days after publication.

Big Picture

The PF Global POLITICO Poll found American opposition to data centers has nearly doubled since January, and a majority of voters say they would be more likely to oppose a candidate who backs data center construction. Tennessee's moratoriums place local planning decisions squarely within that rising national backlash.

Residents near planned data center sites may see local planning meetings and zoning decisions that determine whether new facilities can be built. Existing facilities will continue operating while moratoriums remain in effect.

The takeaway

Local planning meetings are where data center policy is being decided, and residents can follow those decisions directly. Watching how moratoriums are written can reveal what communities expect from future development.