S.C. $80M investment in data centers draws scrutiny over power, jobs
South Carolina has invested $80 million to attract data centers for AI infrastructure, but this investment is drawing scrutiny over its impact on power grids, water supply, and local job creation. Concerns have led to Congresswoman Nancy Mace proposing a statewide moratorium and some counties pausing local projects due to neighborhood pushback.
South Carolina has allocated $80 million to attract and support data centers, a 250% increase in investment, as the state aims to become a hub for artificial intelligence infrastructure. While the tech industry contributes over $51 billion annually to the state's economy, industry leaders are urging communities to demand concrete data on each project, specifically regarding job creation, power consumption, and potential impacts on local water and electric bills.
The significant power demands of data centers are a growing concern. Congresswoman Nancy Mace has advocated for a one-year statewide moratorium on new data center developments, citing worries about the power grid, water supply, and increased costs for consumers. Following neighborhood opposition, some counties have already independently paused their own data center projects, including a large 800-acre campus near Walterboro.
Despite the scrutiny, organizations like SC Competes suggest that communities that thoughtfully welcome data centers with robust regulations and oversight could secure more high-paying technology jobs in the future.