It’s Now, or Forever.
High Country neighbors, we need your voice to advocate for a moratorium on new data centers in Boone, NC, next week! The Planning Committee is now scheduled to hold a public hearing on March 23 at 5 p.m., and this is the time to get your voice heard before crypto-mining and data centers permanently impact our region.
Protect your headwaters, protect your family, protect your livelihood. Contact Boone’s elected officials today!
As our community continues to grow, it is crucial that we take a step back to evaluate the long-term impacts that large-scale data center and data processing developments may have on our local infrastructure, energy grid, and natural resources.
- Water Depletion: Data centers need millions of gallons of water for cooling systems, which can deplete local water tables and shared resources in our mountain communities.
- Massive Energy Strain: A single data center can require hundreds of megawatts of electricity, placing immense strain on the local power grid, often further forcing reliance on fossil fuels. This piece alone directly contradicts the emissions goals set out in Boone Next, the town’s Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2025.
- Noise Pollution: The 24/7 drone of servers, fans, and diesel backup generators can destroy the quiet, tranquil environment of rural and mountainous residential areas.
- Rising Utility Costs: Upgrades to the electric grid to support these facilities are often passed on to residential customers, resulting in higher electricity bills.
- Poor Job-to-Land Ratio: They consume vast amounts of land and create massive building footprints, yet provide very few permanent jobs after construction is complete.
- Pollution Risk: Backup generators often use diesel fuel, which can release pollutants and harm local air quality.
- Obsolete Infrastructure: Technology shifts rapidly, leaving communities with massive, outdated industrial structures within 10–15 years.
A moratorium will provide the necessary time for local officials and community members to develop comprehensive standards, ensuring any future development aligns with our environmental values and regional planning goals.
We ask you to take action by attending the Public Hearing next week and providing comments in support of the moratorium to help protect the unique character and resources of the High Country. The details of the meeting are below.
Town Council Special Meeting 5 PM, March 23, 2026: Town Council Chambers (1500 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, NC 28607)
Thank you for your dedication to protecting our mountains and the communities that call them home.
Take Action
Help make a difference by contacting Boone’s elected officials today!
