Teresa Overcash, Broker-in-Charge of Realty ONE Group Results, uses this framework with every Greensboro and High Point client whose parcel sits near an industrial corridor.
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Megawatt Matters: A Triad Real Estate Guide
On August 18, 2026, the Greensboro City Council enacted a 180-day moratorium halting approvals for new data centers exceeding 10 Megawatts (MW) of power demand. Running through February 14, 2027, this regulatory pause allows local government to establish stricter zoning and utility guidelines. For homebuyers and sellers, the key to navigating this shift lies in understanding data center size and physical proximity.
Understanding Scale: Small Colocation vs. Hyperscale
| Metric | Small Colocation (Exempt) | Hyperscale / Enterprise (Paused) |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Load | Under 10 MW. Fits within existing shared grid capacities. | 10 MW to 100 MW+. Requires dedicated substations and direct transmission lines. |
| Visual & Grid Footprint | Tucked inside standard office or commercial business parks; invisible from nearby homes. | Massive 14-to-38+ acre campuses. Multi-story server halls with significant visual and infrastructure footprints. |
| Local Examples | 13 operational facilities mapped in Greensboro (e.g., TierPoint, tw telecom, GTT, Dynamic Quest). | ImpactData Dream Center (permitted 20 MW scaling to 100 MW+ Q1 2027) & DC BLOX High Point (proposed 18 MW). |
| Moratorium Status | Exempt. Greensboro application processing and utility hookups continue completely as normal. | Paused inside Greensboro city limits. Outright municipal ban is illegal under NC state law, but zoning is frozen. |
Community Impacts: The Four Real Estate Factors
Noise & Cooling Technology
Modern liquid-cooled designs run extremely quiet. Older air-cooled facilities generate 55–70 decibels (similar to a dishwasher) at the property line.
Water Footprint
Direct-to-chip cooling uses drastically less water than old evaporative towers. Ask our team to pull the public water-use disclosures filed with the Greensboro city planning office.
Substation Sleeper Risk
High-capacity data centers drive new substation construction, which can involve high-voltage power lines, utility easements, and mature backyard tree-clearing.
Property Valuations
Studies show minimal value impact beyond a half-mile with a tree buffer. Homes directly abutting a substation or high-visibility site plan can expect a 2% to 5% resale price adjustment.
Proactive Client Strategy
Before touring or submitting an offer on Triad homes, our team pulls official site plans, reviews Duke Energy transmission easements, and verifies municipal boundaries (Greensboro limits vs. High Point or unincorporated Guilford County) to ensure your property value is fully protected.
Proximity to industrial infrastructure is a real question now, not a marketing objection. Treat it like one.
— Teresa Overcash, Broker-in-Charge, Realty ONE Group Results
Related Reading
For the full policy breakdown, jurisdiction map, Dream Center analysis, and pre-showing checklist, see The Data Center Moratorium: What Greensboro’s Pause Actually Covers.
Not sure how a nearby facility affects your address?
Send us the parcel. We’ll pull the site plan, map Duke Energy easements against your property line, and confirm the correct jurisdiction — before you write, list, or panic.
Current as of August 2026. Megawatt figures for named facilities reflect the public record at the time of writing; project statuses change and should be verified with the relevant planning department. The 2 to 5 percent resale adjustment range is directional guidance drawn from industry studies rather than a paired-sales study for this specific market. General information only — not legal, appraisal, engineering, or investment advice. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2026 Teresa Overcash · Equal Housing Opportunity.