Farmland, Water, and AI: The Data Center Debate Reaches Person County, North Carolina
A proposed Microsoft data center in Person County, North Carolina, has raised concerns among farmers and residents about farmland loss, water demand and road access. The debate reflects broader concerns across the state, including Apex’s one-year pause on new data center development.
A proposed Microsoft data center in Person County is prompting concern from farmer Bryce Berryhill, who fears the project could accelerate development, strain the county’s water system and complicate farm operations after a nearby road closure. Residents worry the effects could extend across generations as farmland declines.
Microsoft says its data centers are designed to use water efficiently, while some residents view the project as an economic opportunity. Similar water-use concerns have emerged elsewhere in North Carolina; officials in Apex cited water demand as a major issue and paused new data center development for one year.