Large data center projects are being proposed in rural areas across North Carolina, including Cumberland County.

These projects can significantly impact:

Electrical demand and utility costs
Rural land use and farmland
Water and environmental resources
Long-term community planning

In many cases, residents report learning about these projects after key decisions are already in motion.

A growing pattern is emerging: rural and unincorporated communities are being selected for large-scale industrial development, while having fewer opportunities for meaningful public input.

I live in Cumberland County, about 2 miles from proposed large data center sites. When I went to speak at a recent city council meeting, I learned how limited my voice actually is in this process even though I live very close to where these projects could be built.

As a non-resident of the city jurisdiction, I was placed behind residents in the speaking order, and not all speakers were heard before the time limit ended. In practice, this meant that I was not able to fully participate in a decision that directly affects my neighborhood and family.

What concerns me even more is that this is not an isolated experience. Industry patterns show that large data center developers are increasingly targeting rural and unincorporated areas, where residents often have fewer formal avenues for public input. This allows major industrial projects to move forward in places where community opposition is structurally harder to organize and be heard.

I am sharing this petition because I believe rural communities should not lose their voice simply because of where they live or how local jurisdiction boundaries are drawn.

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Why This Matters

This is not about opposing development.

It is about ensuring that major industrial projects do not bypass the communities that will live with the long-term consequences.

Once approved, these facilities are difficult or impossible to reverse.

Rural residents should not lose their voice simply because of where they live.

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What We Are Asking For

We are calling on North Carolina leaders to:

• Pause new large data center approvals temporarily
• Strengthen public hearing and transparency requirements
• Ensure unincorporated rural communities are included in decision-making
• Prevent approvals that bypass meaningful public input
• Guarantee affected residents have a real voice before approval

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Sign This Petition If You Believe:

• Rural communities deserve a voice in major development decisions
• Public input should come before approval
• Large industrial projects should not bypass residents due to geography
• North Carolina growth must be fair, transparent, and accountable