Rowan County adopts one‑year pause on most new data‑center permits; asks developer for enforceable protections

After hours of public comment and delivery of a 5,000‑signature petition, the Rowan County Board of Commissioners voted April 20 to adopt a one‑year moratorium on new county permits for data centers, directing staff to draft enforceable standards and to press the Long Ferry site owner for binding protections. A required second reading will make the moratorium effective after two weeks.