Across the nation, demand for streaming and business software collides with a boom in artificial intelligence, and behind every swipe and tap lies data centers working in the shadows to sustain our digital habits.
Fayetteville is weighing multi-million-dollar technology investments that could reshape the local economy, with business advocates highlighting the commercial tax base and infrastructure upgrades that data centers can bring to Cumberland County.
The Fayetteville City Council hosted a public hearing on Aug. 10 at Fayetteville City Hall. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss and vote on proposed changes to the city's Unified Development Ordinance regarding the regulation and zoning of high-density data centers.
At the public hearing, over a dozen speakers spoke regarding the proposed data center legislation.
While some speakers aired concerns, others spoke in favor, including former North Carolina State Representative John Szoka, who chaired the House Energy and Public Utilities Commission and the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy while in office. As current CEO of the Conservative Energy Network, a clean energy advocacy organization, Szoka said that the proposed framework was the best he had seen across the 26 states that he works in.
Council members discussed all verbalized concerns regarding noise, power consumption, water usage and the need for stricter setbacks. Mayor Mitch Colvin and council members who traveled to Loudoun County, Virginia, to inspect operational data centers firsthand shared their observations as well.
The Fayetteville City Council opted against an immediate construction moratorium and delayed final action on data center guidelines. Council members voted 7-3 to send proposed Unified Development Ordinance changes back to staff for revisions to address community concerns ahead of an October review.
The county's existing moratorium on data centers runs into December. To guide the development of a permanent regulatory ordinance, Cumberland County officials also invited residents to weigh in on the future of local data center development through a series of community input sessions. This included an Aug. 6 town hall in Stedman and another on Aug. 11 forum at the J.D. Pone Recreation Center in Gray's Creek, where residents voiced concerns over noise, water pollution and power grid strain.
Residents seeking more details can review project updates and frequently asked questions at cumberlandcountync.gov/datacenter. The county also has an online survey, which can be taken at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/datacenterinput.
In other City of Fayetteville news
A task force working under a joint city-county resolution met on Aug. 4 to finalize an interlocal agreement. They voted to create a nine-member governing board, which includes a seat for a military representative, to oversee a single, consolidated Fayetteville-Cumberland County 911 facility. The agreement must be finalized by Sept. 6.
The task force included Mayor Mitch Colvin, Mayor Pro Tem Derrick Thompson and Council member Deno Hondros from the City of Fayetteville as well as Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chair Kirk deViere, Vice Chair Veronica Jones and Commissioner Henry Tyson.
Cumberland County
At their work session on Aug. 10, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners supported ongoing interagency collaboration on behavioral health and public health initiatives.
They also considered a request from the Cumberland County Civic Center Commission for an economic impact study for the Crown Complex and directed staff to look at a scope and available partners like the Fayetteville State University business school.
On Aug. 3, board members issued local proclamations, recognized staff achievements and honored the late Commissioner Johnny Evans. Additionally, planning officials presented upcoming zoning standards for data centers, outlining future public town halls to gather resident feedback on environmental and infrastructure impacts.
North Carolina General Assembly
Both the House and Senate passed joint resolutions setting a tentative framework for the remainder of the year, with lawmakers scheduled to return periodically for non-voting or specific administrative check-ins rather than active daily legislative sessions.
The North Carolina Senate reconvened at the end of July to advance pre-negotiated conference reports including a technical corrections package and a regulatory reform package following the passage of the state budget. Key provisions included $10 million for the Rural Health Care Stabilization Program, restrictions on SNAP funding and new investment guidelines for county bonds.
Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Listen to live updates from community leaders at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber State of the Community on Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event brings together leaders from the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County to discuss regional growth, economic development, healthcare, education and military partnerships. Guest speakers include Congressman Richard Hudson, State Auditor David Boliek, Cumberland County Commissioner Chair Kirk deViere, Mayor Mitch Colvin, along with Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Dan Weatherly, FSU Chancellor Darrell Allison, Longleaf Pine Realtors Vice President Paula Dingwall and Fayetteville PWC CEO Tim Bryant. Tickets are available to the public and can be purchased at www.faybiz.com.
About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.