Boone Considers Halting Data Center Development Amid Local Concerns
The community of Boone is set to deliberate over a proposed halt on new data center projects during a public hearing scheduled for Monday. Local authorities are contemplating a one-year suspension of permits for both data centers and crypto-mining operations, primarily due to apprehensions about their energy demands, water usage, and noise impact.
According to planning documents, there are additional worries about how these large-scale facilities might integrate with Boone’s natural landscape.
This hearing aligns with a growing trend of developers eyeing North Carolina for data center developments. However, similar proposals in counties such as Stokes and Forsyth have faced resistance from residents. In Stokes, a legal challenge was initiated earlier this month by local residents and environmental groups against a proposed data center, as reported in a lawsuit.
The public hearing is slated to commence at 5 p.m. at Boone Town Hall.
