Asheville may pause data center growth soon

The City of Asheville is exploring a temporary halt on new data centers. City staff plans to discuss a framework for this moratorium at a June 16 meeting. If approved by the committee, the full council could vote as soon as June 23. This idea isn’t new in the area. Nearby towns like Boone, Canton, and Woodfin have already put one-year pauses on such development. The push comes as energy-hungry tech projects, especially those tied to artificial intelligence, raise concerns. North Carolina’s laws require cities to explain why they’re limiting growth, how it affects other projects, and set a clear end date for any moratorium. Public input will also be part of the decision.Local leaders aren’t just reacting to industry trends. Asheville has used moratoriums before, like blocking certain hotel developments. Buncombe County even paused cryptocurrency mining years ago. Now, the focus is on data centers and their heavy power use. The debate isn’t just about land. Energy costs could rise for taxpayers as these facilities demand more electricity. State lawmakers are watching closely, too. Meanwhile, Asheville’s council has other plans—like redirecting millions to home repairs after disasters.