'We want our voices to be heard': Some in Vance County push back on data center

Residents in Vance County, North Carolina, are voicing strong opposition to a proposed data center project being developed by Natelli Investments LLC near Henderson. The community expresses frustration over a perceived lack of transparency regarding the development, which is planned along U.S. 158. Concerns include potential increases in energy bills, significant water consumption, and constant noise pollution, especially given the site's proximity to homes, a school, and an animal shelter. Local leaders in Vance County are being urged by residents to implement a one-year moratorium on the project. This pause, residents argue, would allow for comprehensive environmental studies and a thorough assessment of the long-term impacts of the data center. The debate in Vance County mirrors broader discussions in other central North Carolina municipalities that are also reconsidering data center development, while areas like Person County proceed with large-scale projects, including one backed by Microsoft. The article references Loudoun County, Virginia, known as the "data center capital of the world," where Mike Turner, Vice Chair Supervisor, highlights the economic benefits of data centers, such as billions in tax revenue and lower property tax rates. However, Loudoun County residents have also raised concerns about noise and strain on the energy grid, underscoring the complex balance between economic growth and community quality of life that Vance County now faces. Natelli Investments LLC has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the Vance County proposal.