Spartanburg County is at a pivotal moment. Rapid growth in the demand for data centers and AI-ready infrastructure is bringing new attention to the region, and companies are quietly evaluating sites for major projects that could define the next 20 to 30 years of economic development. While these projects carry significant potential benefits—such as long-term tax revenue, infrastructure investment, and enhanced regional competitiveness—they also raise legitimate community concerns about power consumption, water usage, land impact, noise, transparency, and the adequacy of public oversight. The key insight for Spartanburg is this: the county is not a passive participant in this process . It can shape its own outcome by establishing clear standards, expectations, and community priorities before new developments are approved.

The first area where Spartanburg can exercise leadership is power planning and energy standards . Data centers require substantial electrical capacity. Left unmanaged, this demand could strain the local grid or raise fears that residential customers will face increased costs. However, Spartanburg can address these concerns proactively by establishing clear principles for how data centers must work with utilities. These principles may include:

• Requiring developers to commit to long-term power agreements that demonstrate the ability to pay for their load without shifting costs to ratepayers
• Ensuring that utilities publish transparent grid-impact studies before approval
• Encouraging or requiring high-efficiency electrical designs, including state-of-the-art power distribution systems and transformer arrangements
• Supporting diversification of regional power sources—including natural gas, nuclear, and non-intermittent renewables—to maintain reliability

By taking an active role in energy planning, Spartanburg can protect the reliability of residential and commercial power while enabling responsible economic growth.

The second area is water-use management . Not all data centers use large quantities of water, but some do—depending on their cooling systems. Spartanburg can set expectations for water-efficient designs by requiring:

• Disclosure of the cooling strategy early in the review process
• Preference for closed-loop, liquid-cooled, or dry-cooled systems with minimal water consumption
• Limits on evaporative cooling during peak drought periods
• Use of reclaimed or non-potable water when feasible
• Transparent reporting of expected water usage and monthly monitoring

These actions ensure that water resources remain protected for households, agriculture, industry, and the environment.

Transparency is the third area where Spartanburg can shape outcomes decisively. The greatest source of public frustration in many communities is the secrecy surrounding data-center negotiations. Spartanburg can set a new standard by creating a transparency framework that includes:

• Early public briefing sessions once a project reaches a stage where basic details can be shared
• Public release of non-confidential site plans, approximate power ranges, water plans, and anticipated infrastructure upgrades
• Transparent explanations of proposed tax incentives, including duration, structure, and expected long-term revenue
• Independent technical reviews available for public inspection
• Regular updates as the project moves through approval phases

Transparency does not mean violating NDAs; it means sharing everything that can be shared as soon as it can be shared. Such openness builds trust, reduces resistance, and helps citizens feel respected and included in decisions that affect their lives.

Next, Spartanburg can define community-benefit standards that ensure data centers contribute meaningfully to the local area. While these facilities do not create large permanent workforces, they can support communities in several high-impact ways. Examples include:

• Funding or co-funding fiber expansion to underserved areas
• Supporting STEM education programs and technology training in local schools and colleges
• Creating scholarship or internship pathways for local students
• Providing direct support for workforce development in IT, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing
• Contributing to local infrastructure improvements such as roads, stormwater systems, or emergency services
• Establishing community-benefit agreements that address environmental commitments, aesthetic design standards, and long-term maintenance

These benefits help ensure that the economic value extends well beyond the facility itself and supports long-term prosperity for residents.

Another area where Spartanburg can shape its own outcome is land-use and zoning strategy . Data centers fit best in areas with strong utility access, industrial zoning, and minimal conflict with residential neighborhoods. Spartanburg could:

• Establish a Data Center Overlay District that clearly identifies preferred zones
• Create design guidelines for noise mitigation, landscaping, generator placement, and building appearance
• Prioritize redevelopment of former industrial sites, such as closed factories or underused industrial corridors
• Limit data-center clustering in areas where cumulative impacts could overwhelm local infrastructure

This kind of planning helps ensure that development enhances the county rather than disrupting established communities.

Spartanburg can also set expectations for ongoing oversight and accountability . Even after approval, data centers require long-term monitoring to ensure compliance with local ordinances, environmental commitments, and operational standards. The county could:

• Require annual reporting on power usage, water usage, emissions, and noise compliance
• Conduct periodic site inspections
• Include decommissioning requirements in permitting—ensuring facilities are maintained or repurposed responsibly
• Create a citizen advisory group that periodically reviews the county’s overall technology development strategy

These actions reinforce that Spartanburg values responsible long-term stewardship, not just short-term economic wins.

Finally, Spartanburg can shape outcomes through strategic vision , not just regulation. The county has an opportunity to become a regional leader in technology infrastructure, AI readiness, and digital innovation. Data centers are not the end-goal—they are the foundation on which new ecosystems can be built. Spartanburg can:

• Connect data-center development with its growing entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Align with local colleges and universities to support AI research, training, and innovation
• Promote the county as a location for cybersecurity firms, cloud-software companies, robotics groups, and advanced-manufacturing ventures
• Strengthen partnerships with statewide economic-development officials to ensure regional alignment
• Use SpartansFirst as a platform for community education, dialogue, and participation

By doing so, Spartanburg positions itself not just as a host for data centers, but as a leader in the AI-enabled economy of the future.

Communities that shape their own standards achieve better outcomes. They attract high-quality developers, protect public resources, foster trust, and support long-term prosperity. Spartanburg County, with its strong civic culture and forward-looking leadership, has the opportunity to set a model for responsible growth that others in the Southeast will look to as technology continues to evolve.