A proposed data center development in Vance County is drawing growing opposition from residents. 

The project, planned along U.S. 158 near Henderson, would be developed by Natelli Investments LLC, a Maryland-based firm. While details remain limited, community members say the lack of transparency has fueled frustration and calls for a pause on the project.

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A roundtable discussion at Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center will be followed by a public session where residents plan to share concerns directly with state officials.

“We're not anti-progress in Vance County,” one resident said. “We want our voices to be heard, but we have felt that they have been completely ignored."

Key concerns: noise, water, and energy

Opponents point to several potential impacts, including increased energy bills, heavy water usage, and around-the-clock noise.

Data centers require significant resources to operate, particularly for cooling systems. Some facilities can use more than a million gallons of water per day. Residents also worry about heat output, land use, and vibrations from equipment running 24/7.

The proposed site’s proximity to homes, a school, and an animal shelter has heightened concerns about noise pollution.

“Sound is the number one complaint we get from data centers,” said Mike Turner, a local official in Virginia often cited for his experience with the industry.

Looking to Loudoun County as a model

Loudoun County, widely known as the “data center capital of the world,” is home to roughly 250 such facilities. Over the past two decades, the county has seen continuous construction tied to the industry.

"There’s not been a single day in the last 16 years where a data center has not been under construction in Loudoun County," said Mike Turner, Vice Chair Supervisor of Loudoun County.

Local leaders there credit data centers with billions in tax revenue and economic growth. 

Turner indicates the sector has contributed significantly to lowering property tax rates, about 25-40% lower than surrounding metro areas, and fueling one of the fastest-growing local economies.

Still, the rapid expansion has not come without drawbacks. Residents in Loudoun have raised concerns about noise and strain on the energy grid.

A broader trend across North Carolina

Vance County is not alone. Several municipalities across central North Carolina are reconsidering how, or whether, to allow data center development.

REALTED: Central North Carolina communities pause to consider data center development

  • Apex has issued a one-year moratorium on new data centers.
    • Wendell has paused approvals through the end of the year.
      • Chatham County and Orange County have enacted temporary bans.
        • Durham is considering a similar measure.

          Meanwhile, other areas like Person County are moving forward with large-scale projects, including a proposed Microsoft-backed site.

          Calls for a moratorium

          In Vance County, residents are now asking leaders to follow suit and implement at least a one-year moratorium. They argue that additional time is needed to conduct environmental studies and fully assess the long-term impact.

          WRAL reached out to Natelli Investments LLC for comment on the Vance County proposal Wednesday and its current status but has not received a response.

          As discussions continue, the debate reflects a broader question facing many growing communities: how to balance economic development with quality of life.

          For now, residents say they want their voices heard before any decisions are finalized.