The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Beaufort County
Anti-Data Center Policies
Beaufort County’s enacted ordinance pauses most data-center applications in unincorporated areas for 12 months, delaying new projects; previously approved projects and certain routine work at existing facilities are exempt. The description calls the ordinance conditional, despite listing it as enacted.
current law · Unincorporated areasThis ordinance imposes a temporary, countywide moratorium in all unincorporated areas of Beaufort County on accepting, processing, or approving applications for data-center establishment, construction, expansion, or operation, including building permits, site approvals, land-disturbance permits, utility extensions, and related authorizations.Beaufort County, North Carolina One-Year Data Center Moratorium Ordinance (2026)
What this means
If enacted, it would stop the county from accepting, processing, or approving most data-center applications in unincorporated Beaufort County for 12 months. That would substantially delay or prevent new projects during that period, though previously approved projects and certain routine work at existing facilities are exempt.
Sources
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