Planning board recommends denying Rural Hall data center
The Winston-Salem Forsyth County Planning Board voted 7-2 to recommend denying a proposed data center in Rural Hall, North Carolina, as it does not fit the town's 2045 Forward Plan for development. The final decision will now rest with the Forsyth County Commissioners.
The Winston-Salem Forsyth County Planning Board has voted 7-2 to recommend that Forsyth County Commissioners deny a proposal for a data center in Rural Hall, North Carolina. The board concluded that the project does not align with the town's 2045 Forward Plan, which details the community's vision for future development. The decision follows clear opposition from Rural Hall residents.
Michael Fest, Development Manager, presented the developer's efforts to comply with local issues and emphasized the economic benefits, including nearly $80 million in tax revenue for Forsyth County over ten years. He argued that communities embracing such infrastructure attract investment and jobs.
However, Board Member Lindsay Schwab, while acknowledging the potential $3 billion investment, stated that she questioned the cost and that the economic benefits did not outweigh the drawbacks. The Planning Board's denial recommendation will now move to the Forsyth County Commissioners, who will make the final determination on the project.