As a statewide debate over large-scale data centers heats up across Oregon, Madras has made its position clear: the city is not entertaining any proposal to build a data center in Jefferson County.
Madras Interim City Administrator David Clyne confirmed this week that no data center proposal is under consideration by the city — a statement that stands in contrast to broader regional trends showing several Central Oregon communities exploring or already hosting major data infrastructure projects.
A Statewide Flashpoint
Data centers have emerged as one of the most contentious land-use issues in Oregon in 2026. A March report found that communities across the state had identified roughly 9,100 acres for potential new data center development — a figure that would roughly quadruple the industry's existing footprint in Oregon. Much of that proposed growth was clustered near small cities including Prineville, Boardman, Hermiston, Arlington — and Madras.
Four Democratic state lawmakers in August called for a three-year moratorium on new large data centers in Oregon, citing concerns about energy demand, water consumption, agricultural land loss, tax fairness, and a lack of community transparency from the industry. Governor Kotek has expressed support for local communities establishing their own moratoriums and signed legislation creating a one-year pause on certain enterprise zone benefits for data centers through summer 2027.
What It Means for Jefferson County
For Jefferson County residents, the city's firm stance signals that local leaders are not actively recruiting the kind of large industrial tech infrastructure that has transformed other Central Oregon communities. Proponents of data centers often point to tax revenue and construction jobs; critics raise concerns about water use in an already water-stressed region, strain on local power grids, and the limited number of permanent jobs such facilities typically provide.
Jefferson County's agricultural economy — centered on irrigated row crops, seed production, mint, and cattle ranching — depends heavily on the same water resources that large data centers require. Local water rights holders and farming families have closely watched data center debates in neighboring counties.
No Formal Proposal on Record
City officials say there is no pending application, no active negotiation, and no formal proposal before the city or county related to data center development. Residents with questions about land use in Madras can contact City Hall or attend a Planning Commission meeting. Agendas are posted at madras.gov.