Locals turn out against data centers
Approximately one hundred Vance County residents marched in downtown Henderson to protest proposed data center projects, citing concerns over water usage, noise, pollution, and the lack of robust local regulations. Organizers like Vance Voices and Down Home North Carolina criticized developers for targeting poorer counties, while proponents emphasize the potential for significant tax revenue and job creation.
Vance County locals gathered in downtown Henderson on Saturday to protest planned data center developments in the area, specifically projects on US-158 and Brodie Road. Approximately one hundred protestors marched, holding "No Data Center" signs and chanting for clarity and transparency regarding the projects.
The protest was organized by Vance Voices, a group formed to oppose the data centers, in collaboration with the Vance County chapter of Down Home North Carolina. Speakers, including Christian Somerville, highlighted concerns about the environmental impact of data centers, noting their high water consumption, noise pollution, and general air pollution. Somerville also pointed out that data centers are often lightly regulated at the local level, leading communities to approve projects without strong environmental safeguards.
Down Home Regional Organizer Brian Wagener argued that data center developers are "preying on" economically disadvantaged counties like Vance. While protestors raised concerns, proponents of the data centers emphasize economic benefits. A draft analysis by Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group projected that Natelli Holding's project on US-158 could generate an estimated $57.7 million in annual tax revenues for Vance County and support 350 jobs once fully built out. The article also mentioned two minor injuries during the protest march due to uneven sidewalks, prompting a question about the city's ability to fund infrastructure repairs without increased tax revenue.