Greensboro City Council adopts 6-month data center moratorium
The Greensboro City Council voted to adopt a six-month moratorium on data center development following a public hearing. This decision came despite public advocates pushing for a longer, 32-month freeze. Some council members expressed reservations about data centers, while others supported the shorter moratorium as an urgent measure.
The Greensboro City Council formally enacted a six-month moratorium on new data center developments during a meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The decision followed a public hearing where numerous community members, represented by signs reading "32," advocated for a significantly longer 32-month freeze on data centers.
Despite public pressure for a more extensive pause, the council opted for a shorter moratorium. Council member April Parker, who ultimately voted yes on the amended moratorium, expressed her skepticism towards data centers, stating, "I'm OK with missing the data center wave." Other council members, including Hugh Holston and Tammi Thurm, supported the six-month period, viewing the issue as urgent and preferring a more immediate, albeit shorter, intervention over a protracted one. Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter presided over the vote.