RAPID CITY, SD – Rapid City’s Community Development Department continues to seek input from the public regarding a proposed ordinance amendment regarding data centers in the community. Earlier this month, the City of Rapid City hosted a public open house on data centers and is seeking comments through an online survey through November 2.

The survey and additional information can be accessed on the City’s homepage at www.rcgov.org in the featured news section. The news item includes a link to the data centers survey, along with links to the power point presentation, handout and other information shared at the October 14 open house, hosted by Rapid City’s Community Development staff.

General public comment can also be emailed to cpweb@rcgov.org .

The proposed ordinance amendment would add provisions to an ordinance adopted by the Rapid City Common Council in December 2024 which defined data centers and identified data centers as a permitted use in light industrial and heavy industrial districts. The proposed provisions include distance to residential, extent of power, water and sewer usage, and noise and vibration standards to mitigate the impacts of data centers.

At its September 10 meeting, the Rapid City Planning Commission continued review of the item until its November 5 meeting to provide work on the proposed ordinance, which includes opportunities for public review and feedback.