Canton NC Data Center Moratorium and Mill Site Redevelopment Explained

What Residents Should Know

As Canton NC considers a proposed data center moratorium connected to future redevelopment of the former mill site, residents are seeking clear, factual information about what is being discussed and what happens next. This post is intended to provide a simple, informative overview of what is being discussed, why it is coming up now, and what the public process looks like moving forward.

There is no formal data center proposal currently submitted for the mill site. The goal of this overview is to help residents understand the topic before any specific plans are reviewed.
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Former Canton NC Mill Site Overview

The former paper mill property in Canton is approximately 185 acres and is now under new ownership- Spirtas Worldwide. The new owner has publicly discussed plans that include:

• Environmental cleanup and remediation
• Demolition of many existing structures
• Flood mitigation and river protection
• Development of a long-term master plan
• Exploration of multiple possible uses, not a single project

The owner has emphasized that the redevelopment process is still in its early stages and that community ideas and input are welcome.
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What Is a Data Center Explained Simply

A data center is a large industrial building that houses computer servers. These servers power things like cloud storage, artificial intelligence, and online services people use every day.

Key characteristics of data centers:

• Operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Require large amounts of electricity
• Need cooling systems to prevent overheating
• Have relatively low daily traffic and staffing once built

Data centers often appear quiet from the outside, but they are highly infrastructure-dependent facilities.
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Why Data Centers Are Being Discussed for the Mill Site

One reason data centers have been mentioned is that the former mill site already has access to significant energy infrastructure, including electricity and natural gas. This makes the site technically suitable for energy-intensive uses.
Mentioning data centers as a possibility does not mean one has been approved or proposed. It simply reflects that the site has characteristics that could support that type of development.
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Mill Versus Data Center Key Differences

Water Use Comparison

• The former paper mill historically used tens of millions of gallons of water per day as part of the manufacturing process.
• Data centers use water primarily for cooling.
• Water use varies by design:
o Some use very little water
o Others may use hundreds of thousands of gallons per day
• Even at the higher end, data centers generally use far less water than the mill did, though water sourcing still matters.

Electricity Use Comparison

• The paper mill used large amounts of power, some of which was generated on site.
• Data centers use very large amounts of electricity continuously.
• A single large data center can use as much electricity as a small town.
• New substations or power line upgrades are often required.

Jobs Comparison

• The mill supported hundreds of permanent jobs.
• Data centers create:
o Many temporary construction jobs
o Relatively few permanent jobs once operational
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Potential Benefits of Data Centers

If properly regulated and located, potential benefits may include:

• High property tax value per acre
• Limited truck traffic after construction
• No industrial odors or wastewater discharge
• Lower water use compared to historical mill operations
• Compatibility with industrial land uses
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Potential Concerns and Considerations

Common concerns communities evaluate include:

• Very high and constant electricity demand
• Cost and impact of power infrastructure upgrades
• Noise from cooling equipment and backup generator testing
• Use of potable water for cooling, depending on design
• Limited permanent job creation relative to size
• Visual impacts such as large buildings and security lighting
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Why Canton NC Is Considering a Data Center Moratorium

A temporary moratorium is a planning tool that allows a town to:

• Pause approvals while rules are developed
• Gather public input
• Study infrastructure capacity
• Decide where certain uses are appropriate
• Set clear standards before proposals are submitted

A moratorium does not approve or deny any project. It simply provides time for planning.
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What Happens Next in the Public Process

If the town proceeds:

1. Public hearings allow residents to share feedback
2. Temporary regulations or moratoriums may be adopted
3. Long-term rules and zoning standards can be created
4. Any future proposal would be reviewed publicly
5. Final decisions would occur only after formal applications and review
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Final Thoughts

The former Canton mill was a water-intensive, job-heavy industrial operation. A data center would represent a very different type of use, with far lower water needs but much higher electricity demand and fewer permanent jobs.

Understanding these differences helps the community have informed, productive conversations as planning continues. This overview is intended to support awareness and discussion, not to advocate for or against any specific outcome.

Sources and References

This overview is based on publicly available information, reporting, and statements, including:

• Public remarks by the current owner of the former Canton mill site at the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce Issues and Eggs event (February 2026), as reported by The Mountaineer.

• Reporting on the former Canton paper mill site, redevelopment planning, and environmental remediation from local and regional news outlets including The Mountaineer, Smoky Mountain News, WLOS, and WPDE.

• Public information from the Town of Canton, North Carolina, including board discussions and notices related to proposed data center moratoriums and land use planning.

• General industry and government background information on data centers, including resources from:

  • U.S. Department of Energy

  • Congressional Research Service

  • Environmental and Energy Study Institute

• Historical information related to the former Champion and Pactiv Evergreen paper mill operations, including water and energy use discussed in public environmental and regulatory documents.

This post is intended to summarize and explain information already available to the public in plain language. Details may evolve as formal proposals are submitted or additional public meetings are held.

https://www.themountaineer.com/news/whats-in-store-for-mill-site-new-owner-outlines-possibilities/article_359d32a8-fae8-11ef-aaf1-3334fa252ca9.html

https://www.cantonnc.com/public-hearing-set-to-discuss-moratorium-on-data-centers-and-the-like-on-february-11th-at-6pm/

https://www.spirtasworldwide.com/

Editor’s note: This post is informational only and reflects publicly available statements and reporting. No formal development proposal has been submitted.