Data Centers emerge as key election issue as New Hanover County Commissioners review local policies
Data centers are emerging as a significant election issue in New Hanover County, North Carolina. The County Board of Commissioners met to review existing policies and discuss the practical viability of siting data centers in the area, considering geographic and resource constraints like land availability and water supply. While no action was taken to pause development, nearby municipalities have already enacted temporary moratoriums.
Data centers have become a key topic for voters and local leaders in New Hanover County, North Carolina, as the election season progresses. The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners convened a meeting to review data center development, assessing different facility types, their community impacts, and the county's current policies.
The discussion was led by county staff member Rebekah Roth, laying the groundwork for a broader conversation about whether the coastal county is a suitable location for such resource-intensive infrastructure. Commissioner Dane Scalise expressed concerns during the meeting, questioning the practical feasibility of establishing a data center in the area due to limited land and vital resources.
Scalise highlighted the county's proximity to the ocean, scarce and expensive land, and potential issues with water availability due to interbasin negotiations, asking if it was a practical place for data centers. Although the board did not take any action to halt development, the conversation occurs as nearby municipalities, including Shallotte, Leland, and Southport, have already implemented temporary moratoriums on data center construction.