Despite sole objection, county moves forward with data center EDA

Halifax County commissioners in North Carolina approved an amended economic development agreement (EDA) to advance a data center project on 251 acres at the Enfield Industrial Site. Commissioner Gary Redding cast the sole dissenting vote, having unsuccessfully pushed for a public comments section and a more comprehensive community benefits package within the agreement. The board did, however, agree to allow staff to negotiate enhanced community benefits with Quiet Data Centers Halifax outside the formal EDA.

Redding expressed concerns that the agreement was incomplete without stronger commitments from the company and a broader community benefits agreement beyond the $250,000 annual pledge to the Halifax County School System. He suggested a more methodical approach involving stakeholders from the Enfield community, schools, and the community college to define resources for recreation, EMS, and workforce development. Redding also referenced a moratorium on data centers he proposed last week, which is scheduled for a legislative hearing next month, arguing the county lacks adequate ordinances and regulations for such facilities.

County Attorney Glynn Rollins outlined several documents the company would provide, including a site assessment for sound, a Phase One environmental site assessment, wetlands delineation, an approved air permit, a cultural resources study, and a threatened and endangered species study. The data center commits to a closed-loop water or liquid cooling system to minimize water consumption and encourages electric cooperatives to protect residential customers from direct costs of providing electricity to the data center. Rollins confirmed the county gained more provisions than in the original EDA, despite Commissioner Redding's questions about specifics like water consumption, noise levels, and megawatt ceilings, which he felt were not adequately codified or monitored in the agreement.

Enfield Mayor Mondale Robinson also voiced frustration, stating that Enfield, as the state-listed sewer provider, was excluded from negotiations despite its critical role. He indicated the town would pursue its own beneficial negotiations. Commissioners Webb and Silver highlighted that modifying the agreement to allow the project to move forward was the meeting's purpose, with Rollins reiterating that the county was already committed to the land purchase and EDA for the project, making a delay or moratorium for this specific project too late.