Jackson implements data center moratorium -

Jackson County, North Carolina commissioners have unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development, which will halt the issuance of permits and rezoning for such facilities until August 18, 2027. This move aligns Jackson County with a growing number of Western North Carolina communities, including Swain, Clay, and Watauga counties, as well as municipalities like Boone, Canton, and Asheville, that have implemented temporary pauses on data center construction.

Jackson County Planning Director Michael Poston emphasized the moratorium's appropriateness, citing the need for local governments to understand and regulate data centers before development creates zoning complexities or nonconformities. The county's existing Unified Development Ordinance currently lacks a clear definition for data centers, prompting officials to use the year-long pause to study the industry's benefits and impacts, including potential effects on the tax base and residents' quality of life.

During this period, the county plans to hold public hearings, consult with data center industry experts, and review regulations adopted by other jurisdictions. By February 2027, planning staff will draft potential changes to the county's development ordinance, with public hearings and a commission vote on the proposed regulations slated before the moratorium's expiration. The moratorium is not intended as a permanent ban but rather a strategic pause to balance economic opportunities with community concerns.