Data centers, crypto mining concerns

Town leaders in Canton are moving toward a moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining as interest grows in redeveloping the former paper mill site. Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers said multiple companies have contacted the town in recent months, asking preliminary questions about infrastructure capacity, including water and electrical hookups. Smathers said those inquiries prompted town leaders to schedule a public hearing and begin the process of placing a temporary halt on data centers while officials study potential impacts. “We’ve had a lot of interest about data centers, everything from crypto technology to server facilities,” Smathers said. “Our ordinances just aren’t in a place to have those conversations right now.” The Canton Town Board is expected to consider a moratorium following Wednesday night’s public hearing, which would pause any data center development while the town evaluates environmental, infrastructure and quality-of-life concerns. #cryptocurrency #datacenters _______________ Follow WLOS on social media: WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/News13/ WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13 WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wlos_13 Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1 For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit www.wlos.com Stream our newscasts LIVE: www.wlos.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: news@wlos.com Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340 -- WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954. This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com