Spartanburg Council Holds Extensive Work Session on Data Center Impacts

Greenville Spartanburg Asheville Anderson, SC, August 11, 2026 —

Spartanburg County Council convened a special five-hour work session to delve into the multifaceted impacts of data centers within the community. The session was convened in response to the proposed Valara Holdings data center project. Council members focused on gathering comprehensive information related to air quality, noise levels, water usage, and broader community effects associated with such developments.

The intensive session aimed to provide council members with a thorough understanding of the potential consequences of data center construction and operation. Discussions covered a range of environmental and social considerations that are critical for informed decision-making. The scope of the inquiry indicates a proactive approach to managing the growth of data center infrastructure in Spartanburg County.

The Valara Holdings project has become a focal point for these discussions. It is currently entangled in a lawsuit, the details of which were not provided in the summary. Furthermore, there is a proposal for a potential one-year development pause ordinance. This ordinance, if enacted, could temporarily halt new data center development, allowing for further review and regulatory adjustments.

The council’s work session suggests a deliberate effort to address community concerns and potential regulatory gaps before further large-scale data center projects proceed. The specific outcomes of the five-hour session, including any directives or proposed actions beyond the potential development pause ordinance, were not detailed. The gathering of information is a preliminary step in what may become a more involved process of establishing or refining local policies regarding data centers.

Story summarized from the original created by Ashley Listrom on www.foxcarolina.com, see more information here.