Data center activity in South Carolina
South Carolina is defined by effective opposition and legal pressure, with at least 22 projects blocked compared with ten approved despite objections. Zoning is evenly split at 19 approvals and 20 denials, and at least 107 moratoriums have been enacted against only five rejected. Despite this, at least 88 companies are active, signaling notable market confidence. South Carolina is considerably more contested than neighboring North Carolina.
South Carolina is defined by effective opposition and legal pressure, with at least 22 projects blocked compared with ten approved despite objections. Zoning is evenly split at 19 approvals and 20 denials, and at least 107 moratoriums have been enacted against only five rejected. Despite this, at least 88 companies are active, signaling notable market confidence. South Carolina is considerably more contested than neighboring North Carolina.
How is this scored?
Spartanburg County Council approved a preliminary development agreement for the NorthMark and Valara data center under the county’s data center moratorium. The agreement requires reporting and compliance measures covering noise, light, landscaping, water, utility demand and air quality, while allowing accelerated approval reviews.
South Carolina Reps. John McCravy and Daniel Gibson are preparing legislation that would establish statewide standards for new data centers, including limits on water use, noise, residential proximity and utility cost impacts. The proposal has not yet been introduced or approved, while Greenwood County has separately approved zoning restrictions and a one-year moratorium on data center development.
Fairfield County residents raised concerns about potential data centers near Jenkinsville, including environmental effects, water use, infrastructure costs and quality-of-life impacts. The county is under a 12-month data center moratorium and is considering an ordinance that could require reclaimed-water use, water recycling and developer-funded infrastructure.
Spartanburg County leaders gave a first reading to a development agreement for the Valara data center under construction along South Pine Street outside Spartanburg city limits. The proposed agreement would expand county oversight to air, water, noise and lighting impacts, while a previously approved one-year pause on new data centers remains in effect.
Fairfield County residents voiced concerns about potential data center development during a town hall meeting. The available report does not identify a specific developer, project site, or government decision.
The Spartanburg County Council advanced a development agreement for the proposed Valara data center project in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The council’s action moves the project forward, although the available information does not specify final approval or construction details.
Fairfield County held its first public meeting on potential data center regulations after adopting a 12-month moratorium in September. Jenkinsville residents raised concerns about environmental impacts, groundwater, noise pollution and higher electric rates, while officials began gathering input for future regulations.
The Spartanburg County Council approved the first reading of a development agreement for the Valara/NorthMark Strategies data center project on Pine Street. The proposed agreement adds landscaping, lighting and noise requirements, along with enforcement tools intended to protect nearby residents.
Spartanburg County Council approved the first reading of a development agreement for the Valara/NorthMark Strategies data center on South Pine Street. The agreement adds proposed landscaping, lighting and noise requirements, while the county separately asked the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services to install an additional air-quality monitoring station.
Blasting is beginning at the GreenPoint Data Center construction site in North Augusta, South Carolina. The report marks the start of site preparation activity for the data center development.
The Spartanburg County Council passed a resolution asking the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services to establish an air quality monitoring station on the city’s east side. The request follows concerns about air pollution from the NorthMark and Valara data center’s 457-megawatt natural gas turbines, though the resolution is not binding on the state agency.
The McCormick County Council postponed a final vote on ordinance 26-06 and referred it to the planning commission after proposing stricter data center requirements. The council also tabled ordinance 26-08, which would rezone land for data center development, while residents continued to seek stronger protections, including groundwater limits and permit enforcement.
Spartanburg County officials are considering amendments to local zoning rules for future data center projects, including setbacks, buffers, noise controls and limits on where larger facilities can be built. The county’s temporary moratorium remains in place while officials develop permanent regulations, amid resident concerns about the Valara project’s proximity to homes and schools and its potential environmental impacts.
Fairfield County has launched a survey seeking residents' views on potential data center development. The survey indicates the county is gathering public input, but no specific project, company, or regulatory decision is identified.
Fairfield County, South Carolina, is collecting resident feedback on data centers during a year-long moratorium that prevents the county from selling county-owned land for data center development. Officials are using a public survey and town hall meetings to assess community views and potential impacts.
Spartanburg County Council advanced a development agreement for Lightstone Group’s proposed 60-megawatt Jones Road data center, subject to requirements covering noise, landscaping, environmental reporting and community benefits. The council delayed agreements for the NorthMark, AIB and Valara projects while it reviewed protections and compliance with the county’s amended data center moratorium.
Spartanburg County officials visited Loudoun County, Virginia, to study the benefits and tradeoffs of large-scale data center development as local controversy continues over projects by TigerDC and Valara Holdings. Residents have raised concerns about noise, land use, electricity, air pollution and transparency, while county officials are considering stronger setbacks and other protections for future facilities.
Data center discussions were a major topic at a Spartanburg County Council meeting in South Carolina. The available information does not specify a particular project, company, or government decision.
Mount Pleasant leaders approved a two-year moratorium barring the granting, processing or acceptance of permits for hyperscale data centers. Officials said the pause will give the town time to address zoning requirements, natural-resource impacts and energy rates before any large data center applications are submitted.
Fairfield County will host community meetings beginning October 22 to discuss regulations for data center development. The available article information does not specify particular companies, projects, or regulatory decisions.