We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and taxpayers of Surry County, respectfully ask our elected officials to reject any proposal to build a large-scale data center in our community until its full impacts have been thoroughly studied and the public has had an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process.

Surry County is known for its rural landscapes, family farms, small businesses, historic communities, and natural beauty. While we support responsible economic development, we believe that a massive industrial data center is not the right fit for our county.

Our concerns include:

Excessive Water Usage: Many modern data centers consume millions of gallons of water each year for cooling systems. We believe protecting our local water supply must remain a priority for our families, farmers, and future generations.
High Energy Demand: Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity, which can strain the power grid and may require additional substations and transmission lines. These costs should not be shifted to local residents.
Noise Pollution: Large cooling systems, backup generators, and mechanical equipment can create continuous noise that affects nearby homes and rural communities.
Limited Permanent Jobs: Despite occupying large amounts of land and receiving substantial tax incentives, many data centers create relatively few long-term jobs once construction is complete.
Loss of Rural Character: Surry County’s farmland, scenic views, and small-town atmosphere are among our greatest assets. Large industrial facilities threaten the character that makes our county unique.
Environmental Impact: Data centers may require extensive land clearing, increase stormwater runoff, and impact local wildlife habitats.
Traffic During Construction: Heavy truck traffic and years of construction can negatively affect local roads, schools, and neighborhoods.
Property Values: Nearby homeowners are concerned that industrial-scale development could negatively affect residential property values and quality of life.
Taxpayer Incentives: We oppose providing large tax breaks or incentives that benefit multinational corporations while local residents continue to bear the costs of infrastructure and public services.
We ask Surry County officials to:

Reject any proposal that is not in the best interest of Surry County residents.
Require a full environmental, traffic, water, and infrastructure impact study before any approvals are considered.
Hold multiple public hearings to allow residents to voice their concerns.
Protect our farmland, natural resources, and rural communities from inappropriate industrial development.
Put the interests of Surry County citizens ahead of outside corporations.
We believe economic growth should strengthen our community—not permanently change the qualities that make Surry County a wonderful place to live.

By signing this petition, we ask our elected officials to protect Surry County and vote NO on any large-scale data center proposal that threatens our community, environment, or quality of life.