Henderson/Vance County Town Hall
Hosted on July 7th, 2026
This event focused on data center development, moratoriums, local impact, and water resources.
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Elected Officials Panel comprised:
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Bryan Cohn, NC House of Representatives
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Dan Brummitt, Vance County Commissioner
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Valencia Perry, Vance County Commissioner
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Leo Kelly, Vance County Commissioner
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Charisse Fain, Vance County Commissioner
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Mark Speed, Franklin County Commissioner
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Informative Speakers included:
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Mark Pace, State recognized regional historian/expert​
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Natalie Stone, Computer Engineering Graduate from NC State
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Hope Taylor, Executive Director of Clean Water of NC
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SUMMARY
Still a lot of unknowns at the state and local level regarding the data center industry and regulation.
(Submitted) Questions Asked & AnsweredÂ
Question 1
 How will the construction of data centers impact our state’s already low water supply? Are there any strategies that will be put in place to manage this natural resource responsibly?
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The panel acknowledged that it is known that data centers are heavy water consumers. Most of the local officials stayed quiet. The state official explained that the state is still working on those strategies and don't have conclusive ones yet.
How will the local groundwater levels be affected in terms of citizens who are on well-water? How far might those effects span geographically?Â
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Any potential data center will be a closed loop system and use municipal (city) water. This means the data center will recycle water so many times before they "blow down". Blow downs release the contaminated water into the environment. Those on well-water in the surrounding area depend on the ground water in aquafers. When contaminated water is released, the chances of contaminating the ground water is increases. Additionally, the building itself (and related construction) can reduce the amount of water that can permeate the ground to replenish the aquafers.
Question 2
Question 3
What are the benefits directly to the Vance County community for a datacenter? How is the relationship building with the developer?
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The largest benefit is an increase in tax revenue. Increases in tax revenue allow for more funding to be allotted to schools, road, and community programs. The developer urges they want to work with the community but are not ready to come public with any plans. Verbal promises have been made to Vance Granville Community College. However, based on data center industry standards and protocols, those promises will be difficult to follow through on. The developer has only met with certain people, versus all of the commissioners and those involved.Â
Question 4
 How long will it take for the facility(s) to be built, and how long will it take to connect them to power? How much tax revenue will our community lose due to state-level incentives and/or exemptions for data center industries?
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Medium to small data centers (less than 100 kW) can take anywhere as 12-24 months; while large hyperscale data centers (greater than 100 kW) can take anywhere from 24-48 months to build. It largely depends on the size of the building and the number of buildings in the tech park. Connecting these buildings to power will depend on the energy provider (Duke Energy). The state representative urged that the state is working to reduce or eliminate incentives.
Question 5
Is there a drafted plan or special committee that focuses on how to manage and regulate the data center industry development on a county level? State level? What is the plan to protect residents, wildlife, and the environment from the known harmful effects of this industry? Any compensation considered for those impacted?
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There is no plan in place or drafted that aims to manage and regulate the data center industry. State is waiting to hear from NC DEQ on the guidelines. The county had no substantial input and has not considered any form of compensation for those impacted.