Data Center Census

Walnut Cove, Stokes County, NC

Project Delta

ApprovedRezoning re-approved 3-2 on Sept. 14, 2026 after January approval was voided over notice defects; state permits not yet obtained as of January
  1. Rumored
  2. Proposed
  3. Approved
  4. Under construction
  5. Operating

Charlotte-based Engineered Land Solutions proposes a data center campus on about 1,800 acres of farmland along the Dan River near Walnut Cove, with about 998 acres developable and the rest floodplain. Stokes County commissioners approved the rezoning 3-2 in January 2026, voided that approval after residents sued over public notice, and approved it again 3-2 on Sept. 14, 2026.

Key facts

Size & schedule

Site size1,845 acres [3]
about 998 acres developable; remainder floodplain [1]
Permanent jobs (promised)500 [1]
up to 500, average salaries around $100,000 (developer projection)

Power

UtilityDuke Energy [3]
Power supplyGenerators initially, then Duke Energy grid connection (developer plan) [3]

Local decisions & site

ZoningCounty text amendment allowing data centers in heavy manufacturing districts plus a zoning map amendment for the Project Delta site [5]
Source excerpt
“The plaintiffs say commissioners' decision to allow data centers in the county's heavy manufacturing districts threatens more than a dozen sites across the county that have remained largely rural.”

Figures are as stated by the cited source. Where sources disagree, each figure is shown.

Timeline

  1. Stokes County Planning Board votes against recommending the rezoning [1]

  2. Thirteen residents and four nonprofit groups sue, alleging improper notice and procedures; commissioners void the rezoning (by April 2026) [2]

  3. Board of Commissioners approves rezoning 3-2 [1]

  4. Community groups and residents file suit in Stokes County Superior Court challenging the January rezoning [6]

  5. Commissioners approve rezoning again 3-2 under restarted process [4]

Issues raised

  • Residents raised concerns about water use, thermal pollution and groundwater contamination affecting the Dan River [1]
  • Residents cited noise, air quality, electricity demand, and loss of rural character [2][4]
  • Opponents raised historical and cultural significance of the site to Indigenous peoples [1]
  • Developer projects $20 million a year in county tax revenue; CEO Drew Nations has cited up to $40 million [1][3]

Sources

  1. Plan for new data center in Stokes County approved by commissioners
    Spectrum News · Jan 12, 2026 · news
  2. Residents push back as N.C. county reboots process for data center plan
    Spectrum News · Apr 16, 2026 · news
  3. Charlotte group's data center plan wins Stokes County rezoning
    Business North Carolina · Feb 13, 2026 · news
  4. Stokes County votes clear the way for massive, controversial data center in Walnut Cove
    WFAE · Sep 14, 2026 · news
  5. Community groups sue over planned data center in Stokes County
    NC Newsline · Mar 13, 2026 · news
  6. Community Groups, Residents File Lawsuit Over Stokes County Data Center Rezoning
    Southern Environmental Law Center · Mar 12, 2026 · other