Northampton continues its data center due diligence
Northampton County, NC, is under a 32-month data center moratorium, during which county officials are studying potential impacts. As part of this process, a delegation visited a data center site in Mecklenburg County, VA, to gather information. The county is working on drafting new land use ordinances and engaging the public before the moratorium expires in early 2029.
Northampton County, North Carolina, officials are conducting extensive due diligence on data centers during a 32-month moratorium enacted in May, set to conclude on January 4, 2029. A delegation, including County Manager Julian Phillips and Commissioner Keith Edwards, recently visited Mecklenburg County, Virginia, to observe a data center site and consult with local officials. While Mecklenburg County Administrator expressed no "buyer's remorse" after a decade of data center operations, Phillips noted he did not receive definitive answers regarding the impact on residents' water and electricity bills.
Phillips emphasized the necessity of continued research and asking precise questions to gather factual data for informed decision-making, acknowledging that data centers are an enduring presence. The moratorium temporarily halts the issuance of permits or rezoning requests for data centers, allowing the county to study potential impacts, develop stronger land use regulations, and facilitate public engagement through forums.
Code Enforcement Director Jason McAllister presented a preliminary draft of a potential data center ordinance at an August 3 commissioners' meeting, signaling the ongoing nature of regulatory development. No specific data center permit requests had been submitted to the commissioners prior to or during the moratorium.