WALNUT COVE, N.C. —
A hyperscale data center is one step closer to going up in Stokes County after commissioners vote in favor of rezoning "Project Delta."
Stokes County commissioners voted Monday night to rezone more than 1,800 acres of land in Walnut Cove along U.S. Highway 311 for the Project Delta hyperscale data center, following months of discussions and adjustments to the developer's application.
"I think this project is clearly in the best interest of the public because of the tax revenue and because of the jobs it will provide to Stokes County," Commissioner Rick Morris said.
However, Commissioner Brad Chandler also expressed hesitation, saying, "I'm being asked to make a very, very monumental decision, and I am not going to be rushed."
The commissioners were divided during the meeting, with some expressing concerns about feeling rushed and others emphasizing the developer's efforts to address community feedback.
"Project Delta for me, in my opinion, is not about choosing growth over quality of life. It's about creating a stronger, more financially sustainable future while protecting what makes Stokes County special," Commissioner Sonya Cox.
Commissioner Wayne Barneycastle voiced skepticism, saying, "I hear Drew has done this, he's done this, until it's on paper, until it's on a piece of paper signed, this is not worth anything."
Developer of the project, Drew Nations addressed the board, saying, "We are here to pay our way. We're not looking for corporate welfare. This is not an incentive hearing from this board or Stokes County."
Commissioner Keith Wood supported the project, saying, "I think it'll raise tax revenue, increase jobs."
While the decision was not the outcome many attendees had hoped for, developer Drew Nation sent WXII a statement saying, "Project Delta shows how a community can embrace responsible economic development in 2026 and into the future. We’ve spent thousands of hours working with community members and experts to draft conditions that provide a path forward for the community and the project," Nations said.
WXII also reached out the developer for information on the timeline of the project. A statement received says "With the land use decision now made, Project Delta moves into the permitting phase of our pre-construction process. We expect to obtain all of our required permits over the next 18 months. Once all our permits are in place, the project will break ground."
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There has been much debate over whether or not a data center belongs in Stokes County. WXII 12 News previously reported that records showed over 40 people signed up to speak at last week's public hearing. The board of commissioners voted to delay the request until Monday due to the concerns.
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A few commissioners felt the information being presented was changing and that they felt rushed. Other commissioners mentioned that the developer was making adjustments to the proposal based on the community's feedback.
Stokes County is just one of several Piedmont communities debating data centers. In July, Forsyth County commissioners voted 5-2 to deny a rezoning request for a large data center in Rural Hall. After residents raised concerns over a data center in Greensboro, the city council passed and established a 180-day moratorium in August on data centers that require more than 10 megawatts of electrical power.