Cumberland County imposes six-month moratorium on data centers, invites public input

The chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners announced a six-month moratorium on data center approvals, saying the pause will allow the board to draft an ordinance governing where and how such facilities may fit into the county.

"We have put a 6 month moratorium in place while we develop an ordinance that shapes the way these facilities may fit into our community," the chair said, and invited residents to attend one or both of two community input sessions to share concerns and ask questions. The chair said the board is taking a "deliberate and thoughtful approach" and noted that residents have already participated in public hearings and comment periods.

The sessions will feature discussion stations on water, power, land use, environmental considerations and economic impacts, the chair said, areas the forthcoming ordinance is expected to address. The announcement did not include details on specific regulatory language, a vote tally or the timing of when an ordinance draft will return to the board for consideration. The chair urged residents to "tell us what matters to you and what your concerns are," stressing public feedback will inform next steps.

The moratorium was presented as an interim policy measure; the transcript does not specify how the moratorium was enacted (motion, vote, or administrative action) or which board members moved or seconded any motion. The board directed that community sessions be held to gather input before a draft ordinance is prepared.