Farmville Board Adopts 12-Month Moratorium on Data Centers Following Resident Opposition
The Farmville Board in North Carolina unanimously adopted a 12-month moratorium on new data center developments after residents voiced significant opposition. Concerns centered on potential environmental impacts, increased water usage, and rising utility rates. The moratorium allows town staff time to review existing ordinances and develop new standards for data centers.
Residents of Farmville, North Carolina, packed a recent Board meeting to speak against a proposed data center, citing concerns about environmental impacts, water usage, and potential utility rate increases.
Town Manager Justin Oakes stated that while the town has not yet approved any data centers, East Energy Renewables presented an idea for one during a February workshop. Residents, including Lynn Faircloth and Jessica Mercer, voiced strong opposition, with Mercer noting how data centers in Maryland have caused electric bills to double or triple for citizens.
In response to public outcry, the Farmville Board voted unanimously to approve a 12-month moratorium on data center development. This temporary halt will allow town staff to review current ordinance language and develop specific standards to address the unique land use and potential impacts associated with data centers. Mayor Alex Joyner acknowledged that data centers are a "hot topic across all of the United States" and especially in small towns like Farmville.