North Carolina has quietly become one of the most sought-after destinations for data center development in the eastern United States. The combination of available land, relatively stable power infrastructure, and a skilled workforce has drawn investment from some of the largest technology companies in the world. Billions of dollars in projects are either under construction or in the planning stages across the Research Triangle, Triad, and beyond.

This is, in many respects, a significant economic opportunity. Data centers bring construction jobs, long-term technical employment, and substantial tax revenue. For counties that have struggled to attract investment, they represent a meaningful influx of capital.

But we should be clear-eyed about the trade-offs, and we should be making these decisions deliberately rather than reacting after the fact.

Data centers are among the most power-intensive facilities that exist. A large campus can consume as much electricity as a small city. North Carolina's utilities are already managing a complex transition — balancing reliability, affordability, and the shift toward cleaner energy sources. The rapid addition of large industrial loads is not a neutral event. It has real implications for ratepayers and for the state's carbon commitments.

There are also questions about water. Many data centers use water-cooling systems that draw significantly from local supplies. In communities already facing water stress, this is not a theoretical concern.

None of this means North Carolina should turn away data center investment. It means we should negotiate from a position of knowledge and planning rather than desperation. Local governments should require rigorous environmental review. State utility regulators should assess cumulative grid impacts proactively. And communities should have a genuine voice in where and how these facilities are built.

The data center boom is coming to North Carolina either way. The only question is whether we shape it or let it shape us.