No Data Center in Walnut Cove

Recent signers:
Rachel Herzog and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

There are Data Centers is coming to Stokes County and Forsyth County. Our last chance to prevent the one in Stokes County is a lawsuit. The one in Forsyth is not built yet, theres a link below to a petition and info on when the meetings are. Firstly, I want everyone to know what it means to live near a data center. Every resident nearby will experience an increase in their energy bill. Everyone in it’s vicinity will be at risk for cancer and respiratory illnesses. Energy bills will double. You’ll be able to hear the hum it makes miles away, which is noise pollution and can cause you to have trouble sleeping and thinking. (imagine a windows computer starting up times ten) The air will be polluted. Very slowly, wells and creeks will dry up and any water left will be polluted. A data center brings MAYBE 25 jobs. They’re tax exempt and exempt from electricity and electrical equipment. They always promise to build their own power plants but don’t. Data Centers emit 1,000-2,000 tons of nitrogen oxide, formaldehyde, and particulate matter. Due to they’re proximity to Hanging Rock State Park, I worry that the water and air pollution will spread there. Also, imagine climing to the top of Hanging Rock and looking down on two big ugly warehouses that are emitting toxins. Please attend town hall meetings when possible, protest if possible, share this post around and urge them to sign these petitions. I don’t think most people can afford to dig deeper wells or pay $600 energy bills every month. This is life or death, I wish that were an exaggeration. 

This is a link to an article on Newsline that goes further into depth and explains how this will also hurt Indigenous people in the area. https://ncnewsline.com/2026/03/13/community-groups-sue-over-planned-data-center-in-stokes-county/

Link to forsyth county petition

www.ruralhallinfo.com  

link to stokes county lawsuit 

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/27892542/2026-03-12-complaint-and-exhibits-hairston-clan-et-al-v-stokes-co.pdf 

 

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Recent signers:
Rachel Herzog and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

There are Data Centers is coming to Stokes County and Forsyth County. Our last chance to prevent the one in Stokes County is a lawsuit. The one in Forsyth is not built yet, theres a link below to a petition and info on when the meetings are. Firstly, I want everyone to know what it means to live near a data center. Every resident nearby will experience an increase in their energy bill. Everyone in it’s vicinity will be at risk for cancer and respiratory illnesses. Energy bills will double. You’ll be able to hear the hum it makes miles away, which is noise pollution and can cause you to have trouble sleeping and thinking. (imagine a windows computer starting up times ten) The air will be polluted. Very slowly, wells and creeks will dry up and any water left will be polluted. A data center brings MAYBE 25 jobs. They’re tax exempt and exempt from electricity and electrical equipment. They always promise to build their own power plants but don’t. Data Centers emit 1,000-2,000 tons of nitrogen oxide, formaldehyde, and particulate matter. Due to they’re proximity to Hanging Rock State Park, I worry that the water and air pollution will spread there. Also, imagine climing to the top of Hanging Rock and looking down on two big ugly warehouses that are emitting toxins. Please attend town hall meetings when possible, protest if possible, share this post around and urge them to sign these petitions. I don’t think most people can afford to dig deeper wells or pay $600 energy bills every month. This is life or death, I wish that were an exaggeration. 

This is a link to an article on Newsline that goes further into depth and explains how this will also hurt Indigenous people in the area. https://ncnewsline.com/2026/03/13/community-groups-sue-over-planned-data-center-in-stokes-county/

Link to forsyth county petition

www.ruralhallinfo.com  

link to stokes county lawsuit 

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/27892542/2026-03-12-complaint-and-exhibits-hairston-clan-et-al-v-stokes-co.pdf 

 

The Decision Makers

Stokes County Commission
4 Members
1 Responded
Brad Chandler
Stokes County Commission
I am against the rezoning of the Data Center and will vote that way. I rather not sign a petition since I have a direct vote. I will continue to read all the emails from everyone. Thanks, Brad [Note: The Change.org Civic Engagement Team reaches out to decision makers to let them know about petitions in their community and to help facilitate engagement with supporters. The above was an email response we received regarding this petition.]
Wayne Barneycastle
Stokes County Commission
Keith Wood
Stokes County Commission
Jeff Sanborn
Jeff Sanborn
Stokes County Manager
sonya cox
sonya cox
county commissioner

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Petition created on April 2, 2026