Triad communities urge leaders to delay decisions on proposed data centers
Residents in multiple Triad communities are urging local leaders to pause decisions on new data centers and implement moratoriums. Both Davidson County and Mount Airy held meetings on the issue. While Davidson County's board is still drafting a moratorium for a future vote, Mount Airy's board unanimously voted to impose a temporary moratorium.
Residents in several Triad communities are advocating for local leaders to implement moratoriums on new data center approvals, citing concerns about potential impacts and the need for more information. Two public meetings were held to address the issue, one in Davidson County and another in Mount Airy.
During the meetings, community members urged a delay in decisions on additional data centers, with supporters of a pause arguing that a moratorium would allow local governments to study the potential effects of these large-scale facilities. While some residents highlighted the prospect of job creation, others expressed reservations about the implications of hyperscale data centers for their communities, distinguishing them from smaller, less disruptive facilities.
Following community input, the Davidson County board voted to begin drafting a moratorium and is scheduled to vote on its imposition at a subsequent meeting in August. In Mount Airy, after holding a public hearing, the board cast a unanimous vote to enact the temporary moratorium it had previously drafted.