Apex holds public hearing on data center ban after community pushback

The Town of Apex is holding a public hearing to discuss a temporary one-year moratorium on data center developments. This move by the town council follows intense community pushback against a proposed project, the "New Hill Digital Campus," which ultimately led the developer to withdraw their plans. Michelle Hoffner O'Connor, a member of the group Protect Wake County, hailed the developer's withdrawal as "a big win," but emphasized the need for appropriate regulations. She supports the moratorium, advocating for thorough research and extensive community input on future data center policies. Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert previously stated that the moratorium would provide the town with time to study potential impacts, including water and electricity usage, and financial effects on residents. The public hearing is scheduled during the regular town meeting at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, as Apex joins other nearby communities like Wendell in considering similar pauses on data center construction.