Salisbury presents proposed Henderson Grove Church Road data center to community members, faces concerns

The City of Salisbury hosted a town hall on April 14 to present a proposed data center project at 1477 Henderson Grove Church Road and gather public feedback. More than 90 community members attended, with many expressing concerns about the process and the data center's potential impact. The project, distinct from another proposed development in Rowan County, is being developed by Trammell Crow and Flexential. City Manager Jim Greene emphasized that no approvals have been granted yet, as the developer is seeking a conditional district overlay for a zoning change. Land and Development Services Director Phillip Lookadoo detailed the city's due diligence, including a visit to a Flexential facility in Charlotte, and highlighted key concerns such as noise, water consumption, and power usage. Flexential representatives, including VP of Site Acquisition Matt Baumann and VP of Energy Thomas Bailey, addressed these concerns. They stated the 400,000 square-foot, 55-megawatt facility would be air-cooled, requiring no water for cooling beyond typical plumbing, and operate with average noise levels of 65 decibels. They also claimed Duke Energy has confirmed the local grid's capacity and that Flexential would bear the cost of electricity and necessary infrastructure upgrades. Attendees, including Maegan Mack from Down Home North Carolina, voiced dissatisfaction with the Q&A format, preferring an open public comment period. Concerns raised ranged from calls to halt the project to demands for more information on electricity use and environmental impact. The project is scheduled for review by the Planning Board on April 28 and the City Council on May 19, where more formal public comment periods will be held.