Smithfield, in Providence County, Rhode Island, adopted a data-center conditions measure on May 7, 2026. Its status in this snapshot is enacted.
Smithfield, in Providence County, Rhode Island, adopted a data-center conditions measure on April 1, 2026. Its status in this snapshot is pending.
The records read: "The Smithfield Town Council approved an ordinance making data centers 'not permitted' in all zoning districts. (datacentertracker.org)." "Smithfield Planning Board voted on April 13, 2026 to advance a data center ban, giving a positive recommendation to the Town Council. The Town Council vote is scheduled for May 5, 2026. Target of the ban is Revity Energy's proposed data… (datacentertracker.org)."
Details
| Action | Class | Status | Date | MW threshold | Scope | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions ordinance | condition | enacted | May 7, 2026 | not county-wide | datacentertracker.org | |
| Conditions ordinance | condition | pending | April 1, 2026 | not county-wide | datacentertracker.org |
Jurisdiction type: municipality. County: Providence County. Dataset: datacentertracker. Snapshot August 15, 2026; documented actions, not a census.
Rhode Island context
Rhode Island has 2 documented local actions across 1 jurisdiction in this snapshot. There is no statewide restriction, incentive rollback, or large-load tariff on record for Rhode Island in this snapshot.
A town that says no to a data center gives up local tax revenue, not jobs: one large campus pays $2M to $90M a year depending on the tax regime, against roughly 50 permanent jobs. The parent piece prices it and lists the conditions that beat a ban.