MISSOULA – Missoula County commissioners will take public comments next week as the county attempts to develop a strategy for dealing with the rise in cryptocurrency mining operations moving into the area.
The county’s main concern is over having zoning regulations that determine where — and how — such server farms can be operating.
Commissioners have been exploring the issue for more than a year, with interest building after “Project Spokane” moved its massive Bitcoin data mining center into the old Stimson Lumber Company buildings.
While the company and its supporters have argued the operation brings economic growth and tech jobs to Missoula County, there have been complaints about noise and the amount of energy use.
Commissioners are hoping to develop regulations that can control such operations in the future.
The public hearing will take place on April 4 in the commissioners’ meeting room in the Missoula County Courthouse Annex starting at 2 p.m.
