Carter County Commission Votes 20–1 for a One-Year AI Data-Center Moratorium

Carter County Commission voted 20–1 Monday night, Aug. 17, 2026, to put a one-year moratorium on AI data centers and cryptocurrency mining. Commissioner Keith Range made the motion. Commissioner Angie Manning seconded it. The Elizabethton Star published the count Tuesday evening.

If you own in Elizabethton, Roan Mountain, Hampton, Watauga Lake, or unincorporated Carter County, hear this first: this is a new county vote. It is not a rewrite of the Kingsport, Bristol, Washington County, Jonesborough, and Johnson City rules we already covered. And it is a one-year pause — not a permanent ban.

What did Carter County pass on Aug. 17?

The Star’s Brittnee Bryant reported that commissioners voted to pause all AI data centers and cryptocurrency mining centers for one year. A public hearing had been on the agenda and was pulled so Planning could revisit the presentation. The commission passed a clock, not a zoning code. The Star did not publish megawatt thresholds or setbacks. We are not going to invent them.

Monday was also the last meeting for several outgoing members, including Dr. Robert Acuff. A swearing-in is set for Aug. 31 at 3:00 p.m.

Why did 10 residents still speak after the hearing was pulled?

Ten people still used public comments. Resident Savannah Wood: “The biggest drive for our county’s tourism is the outdoors.” A one-year pause does not raise your list price. It does take the near-term “will they build one behind me” question off most residential showings.

Is this a permanent ban?

No. Carter County paused new AI data centers and crypto mining for one year. It did not rezone the county. Do not market a “Carter County banned data centers” headline. That sentence is false.

How is this different from other Tri-Cities rules?

Different county, tool, and date. The live roundup covers Kingsport, Bristol, Washington County, Jonesborough, and Johnson City. It does not carry Monday’s 20–1. This article is the Carter County file.

What are nearby homes doing?

Live Jonesborough seller guide: median list around $429,000 (about −7% YoY), ~$204 sf, 73 days on market. Homepage teaser: Tri-Cities new-home sales fell 17.6%. 30-year fixed 6.67% on Aug. 13, down from 6.69%.

What this means

• Owners: 20–1 is a 12-month pause, not a new appraisal.
• Sellers: disclose the pause; do not advertise a ban.
• Buyers: write the contract to today’s moratorium and today’s zoning letter.
• Land holders: do not underwrite a data-center exit the county just stopped for a year.

What’s happening in the Tri-Cities this week

• Lyberarchelulo Duets — Fri Aug 21, 7–9 p.m., Fischman Gallery
• Lawnstock — Sat Aug 22, 1–8 p.m., Founders Park (free)
• 100th Appalachian Fair — Aug 22–29, Gray

Call 865-365-2280. Johnson City: 2244 N Roan St #107.

Sources

• One-year moratorium passes for AI data centers in Carter County
• Tri-Cities data-center zoning rules
• How to sell a home in Jonesborough
• Freddie Mac PMMS Aug. 13, 2026

*Tracy and seller must agree upon price and possession date. Kings of Real Estate, LLC DBA "Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty"