(PathOne Representatives Gyles Uhlenhopp (left) and Kevin Donnelly (right) - Community First Broadcasting Staff Photo)Orange City, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — PathOne representative Gyles Uhlenhopp says Sioux County’s proposed data center regulations would still allow a financially viable project while establishing requirements he supports.
Following the Sept. 29th public hearing, Uhlenhopp said he reviewed the proposed ordinance amendment before supervisors approved its first reading on a 4-1 vote.
Supervisor Dan Altena cast the lone opposing vote, saying he would prefer waiting another year or two. Two additional readings remain before the amendment could receive final approval. Tuesday’s vote did not approve a specific data center project.
Smaller Facilities and Financial Viability
The proposed rules would limit a data centers to 25 megawatts of electrical design capacity per project site. Buildings and adjacent parcels under common control would be evaluated together, preventing developers from avoiding the limit by dividing a project into phases.
Asked whether a potential project would remain viable under those requirements, Uhlenhopp said it would. He said PathOne’s business model is designed to accommodate regulatory requirements while remaining profitable.
Uhlenhopp said smaller data centers generate less revenue and require greater innovation to operate profitably.
Responding to Water, Power, and Noise Concerns
Uhlenhopp identified water, power, and noise as the main concerns the company hears from residents in Sioux County and elsewhere. He said PathOne’s approach is intended to address those concerns through smaller facilities designed for rural areas.
The draft would require water studies, utility verification, noise testing, and county-selected independent reviews of technical studies. It would also establish cooling requirements, drought-response measures, and developer responsibilities related to infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
Uhlenhopp encouraged residents to examine the proposed language themselves.
Residents at the hearing raised questions about resource availability, enforcement, and the potential effects of multiple facilities. Uhlenhopp’s assessment reflects the company’s position on the proposal, which remains subject to additional county consideration.
Asked why PathOne representatives did not attend the first open house at the potential project site, Uhlenhopp attributed the absence to a miscommunication. He said the landowners were representing the company and acknowledged the situation was an oversight.
Asked whether PathOne would consider more than one data center in Sioux County if the ordinance receives final approval, Uhlenhopp said the company remains open to additional opportunities but did not announce any additional projects.
The ordinance’s second reading is scheduled for Oct. 13th at 9 a.m. at the Sioux County Courthouse in Orange City. If approved, a third and final reading would be held Oct. 27th at 9 a.m. The amendment would take effect upon publication following final approval.
View the full ordinance proposal.
