What is going on with data centers in Stokes County, North Carolina?
On January 12, 2026, the Stokes County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning that allowed for a 1,848-acre hyperscale data center project, along with a text amendment opening the door for similar data center projects countywide.
On March 12, 2026, community groups and Walnut Cove area residents, represented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) and Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), filed a lawsuit challenging the rezoning related to Project Delta and the text amendment. More about the lawsuit here.
About a month after the lawsuit was filed, the County voted to void its own decision greenlighting both Project Delta and the possibility of other data centers in Stokes County.
Since then, the County split its review into two separate public processes: first, the text amendment that would allow data centers in Stokes County, and second, the application for Project Delta. All while the lawsuit is still pending.
In a small victory for the community, the Stokes County Planning Board recently recommended a 6-month temporary moratorium on data centers in a 6-1 vote. Just days later, despite that recommendation and overwhelming community opposition, the Stokes County Board of Commissioners passed multiple amendments on July 13, 2026, permitting data centers in conditional zoning districts for heavy manufacturing throughout the county.
What is the current status of Project Delta?
Since the county voided the rezoning decision, ELS (the developer for Project Delta) has continued plans for the project. On both June 4 and July 8, 2026, ELS held community information sessions on the project, a requirement in the rezoning application process.
During the week of July 20, 2026, ELS, submitted a new application for Project Delta. That application is available here.
Project Delta Site Plan and Buffer Zone Map.
Public records responses, including emails and text messages, related to the first application for Project Delta can be found here.
What are the next steps for Project Delta?
The application for Project Delta will go next to the Stokes County Planning Board for a recommendation and will ultimately be formally decided by the Stokes County Board of Commissioners.
The meeting date for the Planning Board’s consideration of the application has not yet been announced.
Are more data centers coming to Stokes County?
While the Commissioners’ July 13 vote opens the door to more data centers in Stokes County, it does not mean one will be built immediately. Any data center developer must submit a conditional zoning application in a separate process, and that application must be independently reviewed and approved by the Commission.
How can the community stay involved?
Stokes County community members can attend upcoming public hearings, write to and/or meet with County Commissioners and Planning Board members.
Information about the Stokes County Planning Board and its meetings can be found here. Information about the County Commissioners and their meetings can be found here.
You can find resources about writing to local leaders here.