Proposed Data Center in Matthews Sparks Community Debate

The town of Matthews, North Carolina, is currently evaluating a significant proposal: the establishment of a data center known as Project Accelerate.

This facility is planned to occupy a 123-acre site near I-485 and East John Street, a joint venture involving developers Crosland Southeast, Crow Holdings, and Engineered Land Solutions.

As the proposal advances, it has elicited a spectrum of opinions from the local community.

Some residents view the data center as a potential economic boon.

For instance, the team at Steady Eddy’s Pumphouse, located directly across from the proposed site, anticipates increased patronage.

“Hopefully, everyone will be hungry and recognize the value of a great restaurant, cold drinks, and good people, making this their spot,” said Deborah Petoskey, a representative of the establishment.

Conversely, other community members harbor concerns about the project's impact.

Matthews resident Danielle Benham expressed apprehensions about potential increases in utility bills and declines in property values.

“We would see our energy bills skyrocket. We would see our water bills skyrocket. Not to mention, we would lose water pressure and water cleanliness,” Benham stated.

“I feel like our home values would decrease because people will not want to move into this area.”

During a meeting on September 8, project leaders sought to rezone the area from residential to industrial to accommodate the data center.

However, town commissioners deferred the decision, citing unresolved questions regarding power supply, property tax implications, noise pollution, and the facility's design.

“I had heard that there might be some type of a grocery store install or apartment complexes, that sort of thing, which would bring business and bring income and bring appeal to the community,” Benham added.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know how appealing it would be to drive by Matthews on 485 and see a data center. They’re not sexy.”

A presentation from the September 8 meeting indicated that the proposed development was “generally inconsistent with the Small Area Plan (Approved 1/9/2017), which recommends a mix of uses along the East John Corridor.”

In response to community concerns, a spokesperson for the project emphasized the data center's potential benefits.

“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,” the spokesperson stated.

“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.”

The next planning board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23.

Any modifications to the proposal are expected to be presented at the full town council meeting on October 13, where a vote may also take place.

As Matthews navigates this pivotal decision, the community remains engaged, weighing the potential economic advantages against the concerns of residents.

The outcome of this proposal could significantly influence the town's future development trajectory.