Proposed amendment to BRCEDA brings lively crowd to supervisor’s meeting
The Carroll County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected a proposed BRCEDA bylaw amendment that would have reduced the county’s control over development in the Wildwood business park. Residents strongly opposed potential data center development, citing concerns about local control, water, land, roads, utilities, taxes and quality of life. Supervisors also unanimously approved making permanent restrictions on data center development, with a public hearing scheduled for the next meeting.
A standing-room-only crowd attended the Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting to oppose a proposed amendment to the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority’s bylaws. The amendment would have removed Carroll County’s veto power over new businesses in the Wildwood business park and concentrated voting authority in two representatives appointed by the supervisors. After extensive public criticism, the board voted unanimously not to approve the amendment.
Much of the public opposition focused on a potential data center near Wildwood and Exit 19. Residents raised concerns about transparency, local decision-making, water and other infrastructure, while Supervisor Brian Horton said the county should not approve a data center without understanding its effects on natural resources and residents. Chairman Joey Dickson said representatives of the prospective developer had agreed to comply with the county’s data center ordinance and described a proposed air-cooled facility that would use water only for sewage and break rooms. The board also unanimously voted to make emergency data center restrictions permanent, subject to a future public hearing, and offered officials and residents a chance to tour a similar facility in Alabama.