August 17, 2026 Commissioners Meeting Live Stream - PUBLIC HEARING: Moratorium on Data Centers

The Alamance County Commissioners held a public hearing on August 17, 2026, primarily focused on the proposed moratorium on data center construction within the county. Numerous community members expressed concerns about the environmental, health, and infrastructure impacts of data centers, including high water and electricity consumption, noise pollution, and potential harm to local wildlife and farmland. There was strong support for a moratorium period of one to two years to allow for further study and development of regulations, zoning policies, and safeguards to protect residents and resources. Legal counsel advised that a moratorium is a temporary study period requiring meaningful county action and can be extended or shortened as needed. The commissioners ultimately passed a one-year moratorium with provisions for review and possible extension. Additionally, the sheriff requested and received approval to apply for two federal grants totaling over $5 million to address detention center staffing shortages and infrastructure improvements, including digital storage and jail annex repairs. The meeting also included discussions on transparency, public input, and the need for clear standards regarding data center development.