Data center debate: Here's how each county in central NC is handling data center development plans

Data centers are top of mind for county and municipal leaders in central North Carolina as we see an AI boom across the world.

North Carolina is already home to several massive data centers, and many more are attempting to set up shop in the state.

Where do our local communities stand?

Apex
- Town leaders voted on April 14 to enact a one-year moratorium on data center development.
- On March 5, a developer, Natelli Investments, withdrew its applications to build a data center near the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant, citing the town of Apex’s ongoing deliberations over necessary zoning changes.
Cary
- Town council on Aug. 27 unanimously approved an 18-month pause on data center development.
- During the moratorium period, town leaders will receive updates on studies done by staff on power demand and grid capacity, water consumption, noise and vibration affects, site design and buffering.
- Cary leaders are expected to reconsider data center development in Feb. 2028.
Raleigh
- Raleigh is the largest city in the state without a data center moratorium.
- A developer withdrew its plans for a data center in southest Raleigh following public opposition to the project.
Wendell
- Commissioners approved a data center pause through Dec. 31.
- Leaders said they had not received any applications for the developments at the time their moratorium was approved, but they wanted the opportunity to learn about the potential impacts of construction.
Wake County
- In March, the Board of Commissioners talked about leading entities in plans and resources for data center developments.
- Leaders have not enacted any county-wide plans.

Durham
- On May 4, city council members passed a 60-day moratorium on data center planning and development.
- City council unanimously passed a 10-month extension to the pause on June 15, bringing the total moratorium period to one year.
Durham County
- On Aug. 24, commissioners approved a 9-month pause on new or expanded data center development.
- The moratorium included some exemptions to allow for smaller data centers to move forward with development.
- It will remain in effect until May 2027 and include data centers that are less than 100,000 square feet.

Johnston County
- Commissioners have not officially discussed data center action.
- During a March 2 rezoning hearing, residents raised concerns about the possibility of the applicant company, Prologis, Inc., developing a data center. Commissioners approved the company's rezoning request after it agreed not to pursue data centers at the site.

Chatham County
- On Feb. 11, county leaders approved a one-year moratorium that bans the construction of data centers and cryptocurrency mining.

Orange County
- Commissioners voted unanimously on April 21 to establish a one-year pause on data center construction across the county.

Person County
- Microsoft is moving forward with a data center development at a 1,385-acre Person County mega site.
- The Redmond, Washington-based company paid $28.85 million for the property in 2024.
- The company held a meeting with residents on June 30, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns about the planned Microsoft Mega Park in the Woodsale Township on the Virginia border.
- Microsoft said it will take steps to reduce water usage and limit the impact of the data center on nearby resident's power bills.

Vance County
- On April 20, the board of commissioners rezoned land that could be used to develop a data center.
- The project is planned along U.S. 158 near Henderson and would be developed by Natelli Investments LLC.
- At a meeting on April 29, residents said the lack of transparency in the process has fueled frustration and calls for a pause on the project.

Halifax County
- County leaders are working to finalizing the sale of a 251-acre industrial site to the developer Quiet Data Centers.
- Developer said it will be a smaller scale facility using modern technology designed to limit water use, noise and other off-site impacts.

Tarboro
- Town council members voted on Sept. 8, 2025 against a proposed 50-acre data center.
- Leaders cited environmental impacts and community objections.
Edgecombe County
- Commissioners updated the county's Unified Development Ordinance on Nov. 3, 2025 to include data centers.
- On Aug. 3, the Board of Commissioners reversed course, approving a two-year moratorium on data centers. The ordinance cited commnity member concerns.

Harnett County
- The Board of Commissioners voted on May 4 to adopt a 12-month data center moratorium.

Fayetteville
- The city held a public hearing on Aug. 10 about proposed data center regulations, with many residents speaking out against the developments and asking for stricter regulations in the Unified Development Ordinance.
- Council members were unable to reach a consensus on a data center moratorium vote. They asked county staff to address concerns raised in the meetings, and voted to hold a special meeting about data centers on or before the end of October.
Cumberland County
- Commissioners adopted a six-month data center moratorium on June 15, which will expire in December.

Sanford
- City council passed an ammendment on April 21 adding data centers to its Unified Development Ordinance.
Lee County
- On April 20, the board of commissioners voted to add 'data center' to its Unified Development Ordinance.
- The standards set by the county require the data center property owner and/or applicant to schedule a pre-application meeting with the Community Development Department staff to talk about the review and approval process for their project before a site plan can be submitted.
- The process includes a noise study and water, wastewater and electricity confimation notices.