1000 Friends of Oregon is proud to work with Stop the Sprawl and other local partners in the ongoing battle against data center development on prime agricultural land in Washington County. Building on our collective victory this legislative session with the defeat of SB 1586, we are promoting Stop the Sprawl's upcoming community forum on Saturday, May 2 at Steeplejack Brewing in Hillsboro.
Press release included below, courtesy of Stop the Sprawl.
PRESS RELEASE: Community forum confronts data center growth and calls for moratorium in Washington County
Washington County, Ore. — Community members, local leaders, and advocates are invited to attend a public forum to discuss the proposed Washington County Data Center Moratorium and its potential impacts on the region.
The event will take place Saturday, May 2 from 5:00–7:00 PM at Steeplejack Brewing (5834 NE Pinefarm Ct., Hillsboro, OR) and will feature speakers involved in the development of the moratorium petition, along with an opportunity for community members to engage directly in the conversation.
As Washington County experiences rapid growth and increasing interest from large-scale data center developments, residents and other impacted communities are raising questions about long-term impacts on cost of living, land use, environmental sustainability, and the local economy. Across the country, communities are increasingly engaging in similar conversations, with local residents playing a key role in shaping how development is approached and how farmland, forests, and open spaces are considered in long-term planning. These efforts often rely on informed and engaged community participation.
This forum aims to provide clarity, foster dialogue, and create space for community voices to be heard.
Attendees will hear from leaders behind the petition, learn more about the proposed moratorium, and have the opportunity to share their own observations, concerns, and ideas for thoughtful, balanced growth in Washington County.
"This conversation is about the future of our region," said event organizers. "We want to ensure that development decisions reflect the needs and values of the people who live and work here."
Community members are encouraged to attend, participate, and stay informed. Those unable to attend can learn more and sign the petition online at: TinyURL.com/DataCenterPetition
Details
What: Community Forum on Proposed Data Center Moratorium
When: Saturday, May 2, 5:00–7:00 PM
Where: Steeplejack Brewing, 5834 NE Pinefarm Ct., Hillsboro, OR
Cost: Free and open to the public
CONTACT: Nellie McAdams