Boone to weigh temporary ban on data centers

The town of Boone is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Monday, November 13, at 5 p.m. at Boone Town Hall to discuss a potential temporary ban on new data center and crypto-mining construction within its limits. Officials are considering a one-year pause on permits, citing concerns over high energy and water consumption, noise pollution, and the challenge of integrating large-scale facilities into Boone's unique topography. This local discussion is taking place amid a broader trend in North Carolina, where developers have been actively proposing data center projects across various communities. Other communities, such as Stokes and Forsyth counties, have experienced significant local opposition to data center proposals. Notably, residents and environmental groups recently filed a lawsuit earlier this month challenging the data center plan in Stokes County, highlighting the contentious nature of these developments in the state.