Davie County leaders consider data center moratorium as residents voice opposition

Davie County commissioners are currently considering a 12-month moratorium on data center development, a measure driven by significant community opposition. Residents have voiced concerns regarding the potential impact of data centers on the county's rural character, including farmland, wildlife, water and power usage, and noise pollution.

Several data center developers have shown interest in Davie County, with some conducting land surveys and environmental work, although no formal rezoning applications have been submitted. Despite the lack of applications, the prospect of data center development has ignited strong opposition. Lifelong residents Randy and Regina Miller, for instance, collected signatures for a petition that, combined with an online effort, has garnered over 3,500 signatures, urging commissioners to reject any data center proposals.

Davie County Manager Brian Barnett acknowledged the residents' concerns, emphasizing the need to balance protecting the county's rural heritage with potential business opportunities. Barnett explained that the proposed moratorium would provide the county with a year to develop and implement specific rules and ordinances that future data center developers would be required to meet.

However, some residents, including Regina Miller, remain skeptical, believing a pause would only delay inevitable development. Randy Miller expressed a willingness to reconsider his stance if data center companies could directly address concerns about power, water, noise, and wildlife impact. The Davie County Board of Commissioners is holding a meeting to discuss the moratorium, which has been moved to a larger venue to accommodate an anticipated large turnout.