Data centers on hold: Here’s how each county in central NC is handling data center development plans :: WRAL.com

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?

Wake County

Apex leaders voted in favor of putting a temporary, one-year suspension on a proposed data center development.  

Wendell commissioners approved a data center moratorium through Dec. 31, 2026. There have been no applications for data centers in Wendell, but the pause gives leaders time to learn about the potential impacts of construction.

In March, the Wake County Board of Commissioners talked about leading entities in plans and resources for data center developments.

Durham County

Durham City Council members approved a 60-day moratorium on data center planning and development. Baker told WRAL News that now is the perfect time for the city to adopt the moratorium since there are no current plans for a large-scale data center to come to the city. Baker said that gives leaders time to figure out how to regulate future developments.

Johnston County

Johnston County commissioners have not officially discussed data centers, but the topic came up during a March 2 rezoning hearing.

The company Prologis, Inc. submitted a heavy industrial rezoning request in the Cleveland Township. Residents raised concerns about the possibility of data centers, due to Prologis, Inc.’s work to develop data centers in other projects. Commissioners ultimately approved the company’s rezoning request after it agreed not to pursue data centers at the site.

Chatham County

In February, leaders in Chatham County approved a moratorium that would ban the construction of data centers and cryptocurrency mining for a year in the county.

Orange County

The Orange County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in April to approve an ordinance establishing a one-year, temporary pause on building any data centers in the county.

Person County

Microsoft plans to begin the permitting process this year for a data center in Person County.

The Redmond, Washington-based tech giant paid $26.85 million for the 1,385-acre megasite in 2024. The project has been in the works for almost three years, economic developers say, but the company has been quiet about its plans at the site in Woodsdale Township, which extends to the Virginia border.

County officials said that Microsoft is in the early stages of development but has outlined several commitments. Microsoft plans to “pay its own way” to ensure its data center development doesn’t increase electricity prices, the county said in a news release. Microsoft is also expected to invest in local information technology training and nonprofits, the county said. 

Vance County

The Vance County Board of Commissioners voted on April 20 to approve the rezoning of land that could be used to develop a data center. A public meeting is planned for April 29 to hear feedback on that plan.

The developer, Natelli Investments, wanted a piece of land along U.S. 158 near Henderson to be rezoned.

Natelli Investments has not confirmed the rezoning is for a data center project. However, Natelli Investments is the same developer that proposed a data center in Apex before scrapping plans.  

Edgecombe County

Edgecombe County commissioners updated its Unified Development Ordinance in November 2025 to include data centers.

That came after Tarboro Town Council denied an application for a proposed 50-acre data center.

Harnett County

The Harnett County Board of Commissioners scheduled a public hearing for May 4 to discuss a data center moratorium. 

Cumberland County

Cumberland County commissioners held a public hearing about data centers on March 23. At the April 20 commissioners meeting, leaders decided to hold another public hearing to discuss a moratorium. That hearing will happen at 6:45 p.m. on May 13 at the Cumberland County Courthouse.

The city of Fayetteville put a pause on its data center ordinance discussion on April 13, voting instead to consider a moratorium.

Lee County

The Lee County Board of Commissioners on April 20 voted to add “Data Center” to its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

There was an hours-long public hearing at the commissioners meeting, with many residents speaking in opposition of data centers.

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.

Sanford City Council passed a similar ammendment on April 21 adding data centers to its UDO.