County to hold hearing on data centers
Nash County is holding a public hearing to consider a countywide moratorium on data centers, following similar measures already adopted by nearby towns and counties. This pause would allow officials to study the impacts on public infrastructure, environmental resources, and community character. The measure is seen as a proactive step to ensure proper planning before further development.
Nash County commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing on a proposed countywide moratorium on data centers and related digital infrastructure. The hearing, set for Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Nash County Administration Building in Nashville, North Carolina, follows similar actions by neighboring municipalities. Officials are considering suspending the acceptance and approval of development applications for data centers, data processing facilities, and cryptocurrency mining operations to allow time to study their impacts.
The town of Nashville previously enacted a 12-month moratorium in August after two public hearings where residents voiced concerns over electrical demand, water usage, and land-use compatibility. Bailey issued a 10-month moratorium in May, and Whitakers followed suit on June 1. Edgecombe County commissioners also approved a two-year moratorium last month.
Nash County leaders, including Vice Chair Freddy Howell, emphasize that the proposed pause, if approved, is a proactive measure for planning, not an anti-growth stance. They aim to thoroughly evaluate the effects on public infrastructure, environmental resources, and community character, especially given that these land uses are not clearly defined in the county's current Unified Development Ordinance. A public hearing is a state law requirement before such a moratorium can be adopted.