1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support a moratorium on data center development in Canton and to oppose any future proposals to build a data center at the former paper mill site. The February 11 public hearing at Canton Town Hall represents a critical opportunity for our community to protect our resources and future. The former paper mill property has been central to Canton's economy for nearly a century, and its redevelopment will shape our town for generations to come. A data center is not the right fit for this site. These facilities pose serious threats to our water resources and air quality, concerns that have been raised by community members like River Han. Without site-specific environmental studies, we cannot adequately assess the regional impacts such a facility would have on our already vulnerable natural resources. Data centers consume enormous amounts of water for cooling and electricity for operations, straining local infrastructure while providing minimal employment opportunities compared to other economic development options. Canton deserves a redevelopment plan that creates meaningful jobs for residents, not a facility that operates with minimal staff while extracting our community's resources. The town's decision to consider a moratorium demonstrates responsible governance. This pause would allow time for thorough study and genuine public input before irreversible decisions are made. Canton resident Tom Tomaka noted that elected officials heard conflicting information about the potential data center, underscoring the need for careful examination rather than rushed approval. I strongly support implementing the moratorium and ask that you oppose any data center proposals for Canton. Our community needs economic development that serves residents, protects our environment, and builds on our heritage rather than depleting our resources. Please stand with Canton residents who want thoughtful, sustainable redevelopment of this historic site.