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Project Iron Spur Data Center

At a glance

  • What: a proposed hyperscale data center by Drox Group on about 129 acres across from Town Hall.
  • Timeline: the Town Council unanimously passed Resolution 901 opposing it in April 2026. At a special meeting on June 22, held on three days' notice, the council voted 3-1 to withdraw its opposition (Resolution 912) after the developer pledged to seek annexation, which would bring tax revenue. The Forsyth County Commissioners denied the rezoning request (F-1669) on July 30, 2026, 5-2.
  • Where it stands: whether the developer reapplies or appeals has not been reported.
  • County side: see Project Iron Spur Data Center Rezoning (F-1669) in Forsyth County.
  • Video: 2026-06-22 - Special Town Council Meeting.

June 22 special meeting

  • Pledge: the town received written commitments from the developer's representatives (captioned "DRS group") to voluntarily petition for annexation and to put that in a legally enforceable written agreement. A speaker said it had been reviewed and is binding; the agreement text is not in the captions.
  • Resolution 912: supersedes Resolution 901, withdraws the town's formal opposition, expresses support while reserving the right to keep evaluating, directs town representatives to discuss annexation, fiscal impacts, community benefits, infrastructure and environment, and preserves the council's ability to act later. The town manager, Homer Dearmin, made no recommendation.
  • Vote: adopted 3-1 by voice vote. Terry M. Bennett presided and does not vote except in a tie. Individual votes are not named in the captions; Michael Woodcock said he was not changing his position, citing two planning board findings (inconsistent with the Rural Hall area plan update's mixed-use recommendation and with the 2045 recommendation to protect neighborhoods).
  • Reasons given for the change: the mayor said the project had changed (three buildings rather than four, larger setbacks, no razor-wire fencing), the land will be sold regardless, and annexation would bring the town land and tax value that it otherwise would not get. Another council member said the vote was only about finances: rising service costs, an unfinished county fire district contract, and avoiding "holding the bag" if the county approves. These are the speakers' claims.
  • Other claims by speakers: that a state data center bill (Senate Bill 730) would not require the developer to change plans; that the land could instead be rezoned for 300-plus homes; that the county decides the rezoning. The audience applauded Woodcock and objected to the others.

October 12 public comment

  • No council action. Randy Adams said he called the mayor in March and was told the facility would be quiet; that the mayor twice cited a 50-megawatt Durham data center while this one was said to be 600 to 700 megawatts; and that planning board staff told him the board opposed it. The mayor said Adams was wrong about the conversation and ended his comment. These are the speaker's claims.
  • A speaker captioned "Matson" urged voters to research candidates' votes on the data center and on state bills that would reduce local zoning control.

Official minutes

  • June 22, 2026 (special meeting): Dearmin reported that after Resolution 901, the Town received a written commitment from representatives of the Drox Group to voluntarily petition for annexation and to make that commitment legally enforceable. Mayor Bennett said the developers formed a steering committee and made significant changes (three buildings instead of four, setback changes, fencing), and that if Forsyth County does not approve the rezoning the Town is not obligated to annex.
  • Ring said her vote was to protect the Town's financial needs and encouraged opponents to keep writing the county commissioners. Woodcock cited two points from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Planning Board (inconsistent with the Rural Hall area and with the 2045 Plan's protection from nonresidential encroachment) and said "I am not changing." Lane said that if the commissioners approve the rezoning and the Town does nothing, it gets no revenue and might have to cut services or raise taxes.
  • Vote: Lane moved and Horn seconded Resolution 912, superseding Resolution 901 (withdrawing formal opposition, expressing support while reserving the right to keep evaluating, and directing talks on annexation, fiscal impacts, community benefits, infrastructure and environment). Woodcock voted in opposition; it passed three to one.
  • July 13, 2026: Sixteen residents signed up for public comment. The mayor's statement said the resolution was a recommendation and not an approval because Forsyth County holds zoning authority, and that annexation would protect the Town's tax base. Lane described visiting a data center in Maiden, NC and asked the community to come together. Woodcock suggested inviting the Yadkin Valley Railroad to the next town hall (see Yadkin Valley Railroad Transloading).
  • August 10, 2026: a candidate for mayor, a mayoral candidate, said in public comment she was glad the community came together on a "No Data Center" stance.

Discussion time

About 25 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting Minutes
2026-10-12 - Town Council 5
2026-06-22 - Special Town Council Meeting 20

Log

  • 2026-10-12 - Town Council - Residents recall the data center fight in public comment (Randy Adams on the mayor's earlier assurances; the mayor disputes his account); a speaker urges voters to weigh county commissioner and legislative candidates' positions.
  • 2026-08-10 - Town Council - Minutes: A mayoral candidate referred to the community's "No Data Center" stance in public comment.
  • 2026-07-13 - Town Council - Minutes: sixteen public commenters; mayor's statement that Resolution 912 was a recommendation, not an approval; Lane and Woodcock remarks.
  • 2026-06-22 - Special Town Council Meeting - Council adopts Resolution 912 by 3-1, withdrawing opposition after the developer's written annexation pledge; Woodcock opposed (minutes: Lane moved, Horn seconded); audience objections and the mayor's warning to clear the room.
  • 2026-10-21 - Page created from public town materials and news coverage (retrieved 2026-10-21); no meeting transcript processed yet.
  • 2026-07-13 - Town Council - Mayor Terry M. Bennett explained that the June 22 resolution was a recommendation, not an approval, because Forsyth County decides zoning, and that annexation would bring tax revenue. About a dozen speakers addressed it: most opposed (noise, diesel generators, water in a drought, nearby cemetery, churches and school, the Planning Board's denial recommendation), a few supported. Bennett and Mark Lane described touring data centers in Maiden. Residents were urged to attend the county commissioners' review (from auto-captions).

Sources