Citizens voice concerns on data center ordinance
Lumberton residents raised concerns at a community meeting about a proposed ordinance regulating potential data center development at the Southeast Crossroads Industrial Park. The ordinance, which would allow only one small-scale center and set limits tied to electricity capacity, is scheduled for consideration by the Lumberton City Council.
Residents packed a Lumberton community meeting to question a proposed ordinance governing possible data center development near the junction of interstates 74 and 95. The draft is site-specific to the Southeast Crossroads Industrial Park and would limit development to one center, with expected electricity use of 20 megawatts initially and up to 50 megawatts after expansion. City officials said Lumberton has received inquiries from three companies but has not selected a developer or approved a specific project.
Community groups, including Concerned Citizens for Better Government, the Unified Robeson County NAACP and the Robeson County Cooperative for Sustainable Development, urged the city to conduct more studies and address environmental, infrastructure and community-benefit concerns. City Manager Wayne Horne and other officials defended the potential economic benefits, including tax revenue and jobs, while residents raised concerns about electricity demand, water consumption and impacts on the Lumber River. The Lumberton Planning Board approved the draft ordinance in October, and the Lumberton City Council was scheduled to consider it Monday.