It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Matthews Heritage Museum in Matthews, NC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Matthews, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Stumptown Park in Matthews, NC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Santé or visit Carl J McEwen Historic Village, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Matthews, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Matthews, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Matthews, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The developers behind a in Matthews have withdrawn their rezoning request with the city, halting plans that had drawn weeks of .The data center, dubbed Project Accelerate, called for five two-story buildings across 123 acres along East John Street near Interstate 485. Developers with Engineered Land Solutions said the site could house a large data campus requiring up to 600 megawatts of electricity — a level some residents described as “massive.”The development team initially sought to rezone the property fro...
The developers behind a in Matthews have withdrawn their rezoning request with the city, halting plans that had drawn weeks of .
The data center, dubbed Project Accelerate, called for five two-story buildings across 123 acres along East John Street near Interstate 485. Developers with Engineered Land Solutions said the site could house a large data campus requiring up to 600 megawatts of electricity — a level some residents described as “massive.”
The development team initially sought to rezone the property from residential to industrial use to allow construction of the data center.
“The development team for Project Accelerate has requested withdrawal of its rezoning petition,” a spokesperson for Crosland Southeast, one of the development companies involved, said in a statement Tuesday evening. “This will allow additional time to explore options.”
The proposal had faced strong resistance from nearby residents, who packed recent town meetings to raise concerns about noise, power, water use and the town’s character. Some said the industrial-scale project didn’t belong near neighborhoods like Brightmoor, which borders the site.
“What I want for Matthews is responsible development,” resident Emily Moore told commissioners at a September meeting, after that gathered more than 2,700 signatures. “Way more than a data center, I would love to see a neighborhood. I would love to see community space… I think it’s a bigger conversation than even just this property off East John.”
Others argued the plan risked raising electricity bills and permanent changes to the town’s identity.
Mayor John Higdon confirmed the withdrawal Tuesday evening, thanking residents for their involvement.
“For many of you who have been following the proposed rezoning for a data center on John Street, the developer has withdrawn its application,” Higdon . “Thank you for your diligence and engagement through this process; your investment in our community is one of the many reasons Matthews is an incredible place to call home.”
Higdon told The Charlotte Observer the developer withdrew the request due to the “overwhelming public distaste” for the project. He said he was doubtful the developers would resubmit the project or propose a different use for the site.
Higdon, who was barred from voicing his opinion on the project until public hearing closed, said he saw some upsides to the project. The tax revenue it would have generated for the town could have covered 40% of the annual budget, he said.
Still, he said the public brought forward concerns that were not adequately addressed by the developers.
“600 megawatts is a lot. (There’s) pollution concerns, noise concerns, and I think they’re all very valid concerns,” he said. “And ultimately those concerns are what led to the downfall of the project.”
A spokesperson for the development company declined a request from the Observer to answer questions. The rezoning request had been scheduled for additional meetings and a public hearing later this month, which are now cancelled.
MATTHEWS, NC — A big addition could be coming to an undeveloped part of Matthews.“Matthews is such a such a charm. It’s such a gem of a town, we don’t want it to be Charlotte,” said Danielle Benham.Benham believes that charm will go away if a proposed 123 acre AI Data Center off I-485 along E John St comes to her town.“I’m 100% against it. Yes, there’s nothing they could say at this point,” Benham said.She’s not the only one. A Change.org petition labeled...
MATTHEWS, NC — A big addition could be coming to an undeveloped part of Matthews.
“Matthews is such a such a charm. It’s such a gem of a town, we don’t want it to be Charlotte,” said Danielle Benham.
Benham believes that charm will go away if a proposed 123 acre AI Data Center off I-485 along E John St comes to her town.
“I’m 100% against it. Yes, there’s nothing they could say at this point,” Benham said.
She’s not the only one. A Change.org petition labeled “No Data Centers in Matthews, NC” has nearly 2,000 signatures as of Wednesday night.
Long term health effects, utility costs, and property values are some of the biggest concerns residents we heard from have. However, not everyone is completely against it.
“I’m excited to have something happen there. I don’t know if I need something quite on that scale,” explained Deborah Petoskey.
Petoskey works at Steady Eddy’s Pumphouse across the street from the proposed site. She tells WCCB she wants to know more about Project Accelerate before giving her approval.
“Kind of conflicted. You know, we’re excited if it brings a lot of jobs and we would love to have people walk across the street,” Petoskey said of adding new customers.
As a homeowner, small business owner and most importantly, a mother, Benham hopes developers move on to another location.
“I think these data centers popping up left and right need to be approached with caution anyways, because nobody knows the long term effects on our health,” explained Benham.
FS a Project Accelerate spokesperson SAYS “…We are taking a thoughtful approach that results in minimal commuter traffic, limited environmental impacts, and full responsibility for Duke Energy upgrades required for this project.”
A Project Accelerate spokesperson sent us this statement:
“Project Accelerate, a proposed Matthews data center project, aims to bring a forward-thinking digital infrastructure facility that can provide a boost for the entire community, while achieving responsible and sustainable goals and initiatives.”
“Data centers are physical buildings that house digital infrastructure essential to the modern economy. Our goal is to position the Town of Matthews to benefit from this growing sector with Project Accelerate. We are taking a thoughtful approach that results in minimal commuter traffic, limited environmental impacts, and full responsibility for Duke Energy upgrades required for this project.”
“We continue to engage residents to share information and answer questions.”
A project developer will speak to residents at a town meeting on Thursday.
A 123-acre data center could soon rise along East John Street in Matthews, but many residents aren’t convinced it belongs there.At a packed community meeting Thursday night, developers with Project Accelerate fielded dozens of questions about water use, energy demand, noise and taxes. While the team promised the project would bring the town millions in tax revenue and operate under strict limits, most residents who spoke opposed it, raising concerns about safety, costs and how the project could change Matthews.“We d...
A 123-acre data center could soon rise along East John Street in Matthews, but many residents aren’t convinced it belongs there.
At a packed community meeting Thursday night, developers with Project Accelerate fielded dozens of questions about water use, energy demand, noise and taxes. While the team promised the project would bring the town millions in tax revenue and operate under strict limits, most residents who spoke opposed it, raising concerns about safety, costs and how the project could change Matthews.
“We don’t need this,” one longtime resident told the crowd. “We have to ask ourselves, can we build a data center on this lot? Sure. Is that what we want? I don’t think so.”
Here are six things to know about the proposed Matthews data center:
Some nearby residents fear the project would tower over their backyards.
“It’s 80 feet in the air,” one man said. “You’ll be able to see that from a long distance.”
The project site covers 123 acres on East John Street, bordered by Interstate 485 and a rail line, near an existing Duke Energy substation, said Drew Nations, CEO of Engineered Land Solutions, the developer of the proposed project.
Developers are pitching five buildings for the site, each described as two stories tall but capped at 80 feet, shorter than the 120-foot power towers already standing nearby. Their plan shows 80-foot setbacks and 40-foot tree buffers, along with a multi-use path along East John Street. Right now the land is zoned for residential use and could hold around 300 homes if built that way. Instead, the team is asking Matthews to rezone it for industrial use, with parameters specific to the data center.
The development team emphasized its closed-loop cooling system before questions even began, calling it “a responsible, cutting-edge way” to run a data center.
The system would be filled once, then recirculated, with daily water needs limited to uses like bathrooms and landscaping, Nations said.
But some residents weren’t convinced. One woman argued that as equipment is replaced and expanded, the facility “is going to keep drawing more water,” despite promises otherwise. Others pressed about potential leaks, runoff and the chemicals used to keep water clean. Developers responded that detection mechanisms, shut-off valves and staff on site 24/7 would limit risks.
Several residents said their top concern was increased electricity bills as a result of the large center.
The developers said the project would require about 600 megawatts, which one resident called “massive.” Nations said developers would pay for all substation upgrades themselves, with no costs passed to Duke Energy customers.
“Whether we turn the lights on or off, we’re paying for that power,” Nations said. “That’s part of our rate structure.”
Nations pointed to Duke Energy’s recently published n, which projects about a 2.1% annual increase in customer rates regardless of whether the Matthews project is built.
Nations also said Duke Energy requires a 17% reserve margin, meaning it must generate more power than it distributes to ensure reliability and prevent outages.
So far, no one. The developers told the crowd they won’t announce an end user until after rezoning is decided, leaving some residents uneasy. Seeing logos of Apple, Meta and Wells Fargo on presentation slides, one resident, Danielle Frain Benham, asked if the project’s mission was simply to “make these conglomerates even bigger.”
The team replied the examples were meant to illustrate industries like banking, health care, and streaming, that rely on digital infrastructure. They said the rezoning must come first before a tenant signs on.
“We all have cell phones in our pockets right now. We’re all participating in this digital economy, whether it’s work, streaming, or education,” Nations said.
Noise may prove the hardest sell. Consultants acknowledged parts of the site already exceed Matthews’ 60-decibel limit because of nearby interstate traffic, wind and train horns. They said the campus would use barriers, enclosures and building placement to stay under the town’s threshold at all hours.
But some neighbors dismissed the assurances.
“Sixty dB – I’m going to have to try to sleep with that,” one said.
Another likened the hum to a bell ringing constantly: “You’d get used to it, but it would destroy much of the environment we live in today.”
Nothing has been approved by the town yet. Developers held another community meeting in July, followed by a September public hearing. Another community meeting is scheduled for Oct. 9 and a public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 13.
Mayor John Higdon shared the announcement on Facebook Tuesday evening.MATTHEWS, N.C. — A 123-acre plot of land in Matthews won't be home to a data center, an idea that sparked controversy and pushback from residents recently.Mayor John Higdon shared news of the withdrawal on his Facebook page Tuesday evening. The brief message confirmed the proposed rezoning application for the center, which would have been along John Street, was withdrawn by the developer."Thank you for your diligence and engagement through t...
Mayor John Higdon shared the announcement on Facebook Tuesday evening.
MATTHEWS, N.C. — A 123-acre plot of land in Matthews won't be home to a data center, an idea that sparked controversy and pushback from residents recently.
Mayor John Higdon shared news of the withdrawal on his Facebook page Tuesday evening. The brief message confirmed the proposed rezoning application for the center, which would have been along John Street, was withdrawn by the developer.
"Thank you for your diligence and engagement through this process; your investment in our community is one of the many reasons Matthews is an incredible place to call home," part of Higdon's post read.
According to a staff report, the rezoning request is “generally inconsistent” with the East John Area Plan approved in 2017. That plan envisioned a mix of retail, residential, and office development for the site.
Across the region, similar proposals have sparked debate. A data center project was recently withdrawn in Mooresville, while another remains under consideration in Statesville.
The push for new facilities comes as both state and federal leaders have supported the need for more data infrastructure. In July, President Trump signed an executive order to facilitate a rapid buildout of data center infrastructure.
Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Stein announced a $10 billion Amazon investment for an AI Innovation hub, which will expand its data center infrastructure.
Matthews residents shared their concerns about the proposal with WCNC Charlotte. Danielle Brenham said the data center would not have fit with the town's character.
"Matthews is a town out of a Hallmark movie," she said. "My first reaction to hearing a data center in Matthews: no. Just no."
Concerns were also raised about how the center could have impacted utility rates and quality of city services.
"I've heard stories from other communities where they are losing water pressure, raising electricity bills, coming in and using the resources," Chris Loughlin said.
Town leaders discuss the idea, but residents want answers as they hear about issues in other cities.MATTHEWS, N.C. — Matthew town leaders are spending part of their Thursday evening discussing a proposed rezoning for a potential data center. The wooded stretch of 123 acres near East John Street and I-485 would, if approved, be approved for what's currently named "Project Accelerate".But ahead of the meeting, not all residents are on board with the project going online. Danielle Benham told WCNC Charlotte she's w...
Town leaders discuss the idea, but residents want answers as they hear about issues in other cities.
MATTHEWS, N.C. — Matthew town leaders are spending part of their Thursday evening discussing a proposed rezoning for a potential data center. The wooded stretch of 123 acres near East John Street and I-485 would, if approved, be approved for what's currently named "Project Accelerate".
But ahead of the meeting, not all residents are on board with the project going online. Danielle Benham told WCNC Charlotte she's worried about it.
"Matthews is a town out of a Hallmark movie," she said. "My first reaction to hearing a data center in Matthews: no. Just no."
Benham's sentiments are echoed in a Change petition against the center, which has already garnered more than 2,100 signatures. Among those who signed the petition are Chris and Elizabeth Loughlin, who said the data center could turn Matthews into something unrecognizable -- especially with many unanswered questions.
"I've heard stories from other communities where they are losing water pressure, raising electricity bills, coming in and using the resources," Chris Loughlin said.
Benham pointed to the developer's original plan for the land, which would have mixed office space, retail, housing, and a hotel together, as having far more charm and more in line with what Matthews is all about.
"If the area is going to be developed, it should be a way to tie in the personality of Matthews with that one-mile distance the data center is from downtown," she said.
The meeting on Thursday evening won't be the final opportunity for residents to share their voices with town leaders; public comment has been re-opened, with another meeting slated for Monday, October 13, at 7 p.m.
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