Cumberland County commissioners grappled with a question that has become increasingly urgent across North Carolina: whether the economic upside of billion‑dollar data centers outweighs the pressure they place on local power and water supplies, as well as nearby neighborhoods.
Officials stressed throughout a special work session on Thursday that no company is currently seeking approval to build one. The point, they said, was to get ahead of any proposal before an application lands on their desks.
The briefing was led by Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation. Much of the presentation echoed the overview he delivered at a public forum on January 29.
He told commissioners that data centers can bring millions of dolars in annual tax revenue and dozens of high‑paying jobs. But he added that they also run nonstop, generate persistent noise, and consume enormous amounts of electricity and water that could otherwise support manufacturers with larger workforces.
Currently, the county has no rules tailored to data centers, a gap Van Geons urged commissioners to close.
“From the economic development perspective, we’re encouraging you to add to your ordinances, to put specific regulations in and to be prepared so that your staff is well equipped to respond,” he said. “It’s always best to say what we want up front, as opposed to trying to react after the question’s been asked.”
Rawls Howard, the county’s planning and inspections director, said the zoning code doesn’t define data centers, so the facilities are treated the same as a warehouses. Any new ordinance, he said, must address three core issues: whether utilities can support a project, how to manage constant noise from cooling systems and generators, and how to ensure compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.
Howard said his department is researching drafting a zoning text amendment that would create a standalone definition for data centers, set performance standards such as noise limits and buffering, and determine whether projects should be allowed by right with conditions or require special or conditional approvals. Instead of trying to regulate megawatts directly, the county would require written confirmation from power and water providers that they can serve a project’s needs.
“Our planning staff is doing a really good job right now about doing the research to make sure we get all the information,” Howard said.
Commissioner Kirk deViere, who chairs the board, said commissioners will consider a draft of an ordinance during its March 2 meeting.
“I know you’ll still be in the process, but give us an inside glimpse to glean any feedback, and then continue the process,” deViere said.
The commissioner’s March 16 meeting will include a dedicated public comment period, which deViere said should be widely publicized so residents know they can weigh in.
The board hopes to adopt a final ordinance around May, he said.
Government reporter Rachel Heimann Mercader can be reached at rheimann@cityviewnc.com or 910-988-8045.
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