Canton Stands Against Bitcoin Mining

Canton's Data Center Moratorium

Canton recently faced a wave of resident concern about the possibility of a Bitcoin mining farm operating at the former Canton Paper Mill site. The high-pitched drone of mining rigs and the environmental impact of these operations have raised community concerns. In response, Mayor Zeb Smathers and the Board of Aldermen imposed a one-year moratorium on data center development, including Bitcoin farms.

About 200 residents gathered at the public hearing on February 11 to voice their opposition to any data center development in Canton, especially on the former mill site. The crowd’s message was clear: they do not want Canton to become a hub for data centers or Bitcoin mining farms. These concerns center on higher utility costs, and the noise pollution of such facilities.

Mayor Smathers addressed the rumors, clarifying that no proposal had been made to build a data center on the former paper mill site. Instead, the moratorium was a proactive step to prevent any future proposals from advancing without thorough community input and review. The Board of Aldermen’s unanimous vote to impose the moratorium demonstrates strong local government support for protecting Canton’s small-town character.

Several counties in North Carolina, including Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Madison, and McDowell, have already enacted similar moratoriums or regulations to manage data center growth. Canton’s decision places it among these communities that prioritize quality of life over unchecked industrial development.

The moratorium gives Canton time to study the potential impacts of data centers and develop regulations that balance economic development with community well-being. It also gives residents a voice in shaping the site's future.

The town’s proactive stance highlights the importance of community engagement in managing growth.

==================================================================================

 "The Informed Citizen" is a Judeo-Christian conservative blog and website with a mission to provide information on the governance of our municipalities, counties, states, and country, enabling you, the voter, to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

To this end, "The Informed Citizen" publishes daily information that mainstream media either fails to provide or does so in a manner that aligns with the ideological narrative of the Socialist-Democrat Party.

If we are to retain our Constitutional Republic as envisioned by our Founding Fathers, we need the involvement and engagement of everyone. So, please consider joining this mission.

Together, our voices as Judeo-Christian conservatives will resonate more powerfully than ever.

Please share this post with your contacts. Everyone needs to be an informed citizen, knowledgeable about political activities that directly affect them and their families, so that they too can make informed decisions at the ballot box.

If you are interested in participating in informational conversations via "The Informed Citizen" Blog and Website, please visit americaninsanity.org to learn about "The Informed Citizen" and gain valuable insights into our communities' issues, and to subscribe to “The Informed Citizen.”

Together, our voices as Judeo-Christian conservatives will resonate more powerfully than ever.

Please share this post with your contacts. Everyone needs to be an informed citizen, knowledgeable about political issues that directly affect them and their families, so they too can make informed decisions at the ballot box.

Visit americaninsanity.org to learn about "The Informed Citizen" and gain valuable insights into our communities' issues, and to subscribe to “The Informed Citizen.”