Map Details South Carolina Data Center Locations and Local Regulations

South Carolina is experiencing a complex landscape of data center development, with over 20 operational or planned facilities sparking both economic enthusiasm and community apprehension. While proponents, such as Will Williams of the Western South Carolina Economic Development Partnership, highlight data centers as essential infrastructure for the digital economy and sources of local revenue, residents in various communities express concerns over potential increases in energy bills, excessive water consumption, and noise pollution. This dynamic has led to mixed reactions across the state, with some localities embracing development and others seeking to restrict it.

Despite the surge in activity, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, according to Secretary Harry Lightsey, does not comprehensively track new data center developments, making it challenging to get a complete picture. However, "The State" newspaper has compiled a map of several key projects based on public data, interviews, news releases, and county records. Notable developments include Cielo's proposed $2.1 billion, 300-megawatt campus near Gaffney, Meta's 715,000-square-foot facility in Aiken County for AI workloads, and Google's $1.3 billion expansion in Berkeley County, alongside new centers in Dorchester County. NorthMark Strategies is also planning a $2.8 billion data center and power generation campus in Spartanburg County, while QTS is constructing a nine-building campus near Rock Hill.

In response to the rapid growth and lack of statewide regulatory oversight, several South Carolina counties are taking local action. An analysis reveals that at least nine counties have either proposed or enacted temporary moratoriums on data center development, aiming to provide time for establishing local regulations and siting requirements. Chester County Council Chair Pete Wilson emphasized that such pauses allow for informed decisions that balance economic opportunity with responsible growth. Additionally, some counties have already adjusted zoning rules or are discussing new regulations concerning data center locations, while statewide efforts in the General Assembly to regulate data center siting have stalled over the past two years.