Data center debate moves to Salisbury, days after residents protested a different Rowan County proposal

The debate surrounding data centers in Rowan County, North Carolina, has intensified with a new proposal for a facility in Salisbury. This project, slated for a 94-acre site, is distinct from another proposed data center about 10 miles away that has already drawn significant protests from residents. The new Salisbury proposal comes shortly after Rowan County commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a one-year moratorium on new data center projects. However, this moratorium, which takes effect on May 4, specifically excludes cities and towns within the county, meaning it does not apply to the Salisbury project. This distinction has become a key point of discussion among local residents. While some residents, like Samanthan Haspel, acknowledge that data centers are an emerging reality and express no strong opposition to the Salisbury project itself, others, including Laura Fitzgerald, are concerned about the rapid pace of the proposal and the lack of sufficient time for public engagement. Residents believe they need more time to understand the implications of such developments. The Salisbury project involves a text amendment that will be reviewed by the planning board on April 28, followed by a City Council review on May 19. If city leaders opt for a conditional zoning approach, officials anticipate a final approval process could span three to four months.