Kincardine officials mention that there aren’t any data centre proposals currently submitted to the municipality, but they believe the community has several features that could one day attract developers.
The municipality recently made a set of recommendations to the province as Ontario works on its proposed Data Centre Playbook, asking for stronger municipal involvement, environmental protections, transparency, and community benefits.
Kincardine’s CAO Alan Smith says the municipality’s interest in this matter isn’t based on any existing project.
“There hasn’t been any proposals in front of us,” he said. “We’re just trying to position the municipality to be aware of the provincial framework and how to improve on that framework.”
However, Smith noted that Kincardine’s location, available land, and established energy sector could make it an appealing choice for future development.
“I guess it’s our location, also the current energy sector that we focus on and the land that we have in our area that would be most likely suitable for a possible data centre,” he said.
Kincardine hosts Bruce Power and has a significant nuclear-sector supply chain while data centres need large and reliable electricity supplies.
Smith mentioned that the municipality generally aims to position itself as an attractive spot for investment, with data centres potentially becoming one of the sectors interested in the area.
“Kincardine is an attractive place to do business,” he said. “If they do knock on the door, we would have to see what it’s all about.”
Smith anticipates municipalities across Ontario will receive more inquiries as demand for large-scale computing infrastructure increases.
“We just want to be prepared that if we do get a proposal, we are ready,” Smith said. “Kincardine won’t be immune to inquiries.”
Kincardine’s recommendations to the province include requiring formal municipal input before projects get provincial grid approval, ensuring municipalities recover infrastructure and emergency-service costs, mandating water-efficient cooling systems, and setting standards for noise and backup power generation.
Council is also requesting more transparency regarding who owns and operates data centres as well as what kind of information is being processed.
Smith emphasized that clearer provincial rules would be especially crucial for smaller municipalities trying to evaluate projects needing substantial amounts of electricity, land, and municipal infrastructure.
“The province has to take full lead and make sure that framework’s in place to help communities, especially the small municipalities,” he said.
He added that Kincardine supports Ontario creating province-wide regulations rather than leaving each municipality to devise their own approach when proposals arise.
“We’re glad to see the province doing this,” Smith said. “Ultimately, they have to set the parameters on such as these hyperscale developments.”
Kincardine council hasn’t taken a stance either way about hosting a data centre.
Instead , Smith stated , the municipality wants the provincial framework established before facing such decisions.
The province is accepting public feedback on its proposed Data Centre Playbook until September 12.
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