Catawba County Holds Session on Planned Microsoft Data Centers
Catawba County held a drop-in session for residents to address concerns about four Microsoft data centers planned for the area. Economic Development Corporation President Scott Millar discussed public questions, especially regarding construction issues and water usage, clarifying that Microsoft has guaranteed minimal water use beyond employee needs. The segment also briefly covered an audit by the NC Office of the State Auditor on uninvestigated landfill sites statewide.
Catawba County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Scott Millar addressed public concerns regarding four Microsoft data centers planned for various locations within Catawba County, North Carolina. Millar spoke with WHKY News, following a drop-in session held for citizens to ask questions about the projects.
Millar identified construction as a primary concern, similar to any large manufacturing plant build. He also noted public apprehension about the potential scale of these facilities, comparing them to large AI-specific data centers that can span thousands of acres, though he clarified the Microsoft projects in Catawba County are smaller.
A significant point of contention has been water usage. Millar confirmed that Microsoft recently committed to not using water beyond what employees will require, dispelling concerns about massive water consumption. He stated that Microsoft is on record guaranteeing this. Citizens with further questions were directed to the EDC's website for more information.
The broadcast also included a separate report on a new performance audit from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor. The audit revealed that 534 out of 688 former landfill sites across the state have never been investigated for possible environmental contamination, with many dating before 1983 regulations. State Auditor Dave Bolick criticized the long-standing government problem, estimating that investigating the remaining sites would cost nearly $1 billion.