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City of Charlotte suspends data center focus group

People hoisted pro-moratorium signs while Charlotte City Council debated holding a public hearing during
Zachary Turner
/
WFAE
As data center development has ramped up, so have concerns from residents. At a Charlotte City Council meeting on May 11, 2026, many held signs urging a pause on new development.

The city of Charlotte has suspended a focus group that was supposed to help the city come up with data center policies. The city made the announcement Friday afternoon, following criticism that the process lacked transparency.

The Charlotte Observer reports the city had quietly convened the group without public notice and was still recruiting participants the day of its first scheduled meeting. The city says it’s now pausing the meetings to reassess its public engagement strategy and will reschedule the public meetings.