Council responds to data center concerns

The Greensboro City Council is undergoing a significant shift in its stance on data center development, moving from unanimous approval four years ago to expressing serious concerns about the industry's potential harm. At a recent May 4 meeting, District 1 Representative Crystal Black articulated the disproportionate environmental burdens, pollution, and economic divestment her district faces, vowing to prevent further unchecked data center expansion. She specifically referenced the ImpactData Greensboro Dream Center, a previously approved project near North Carolina A&T State University, stating her intention to work towards a "turnaround" for the facility. Public speaker Del Stone amplified these concerns, advocating for a moratorium on data center construction in Greensboro, similar to those enacted in several other North Carolina localities and counties. Stone cited escalating electricity rates, increased drought conditions, and the minimal job creation data centers provide compared to their environmental and social costs, arguing that they primarily fuel corporate profits for industries like cryptocurrency mining and generative AI. He questioned whether the council's priorities lay with corporations or residents burdened by these developments. Other council members, including District 2's Cecile Crawford and at-large Representative Hugh Holston, echoed Black's and Stone's sentiments, highlighting issues such as unaffordable electricity demands, tax incentives that don't benefit residents, water consumption, and air pollution from backup generators. They emphasized a commitment to making data-informed decisions and developing community-aligned policies, with City Manager Trey Davis directed to consult with the council on any future proposed data center projects in Greensboro.