Project Delta Site Plan (New application)
Proposed Data Center in Stokes County (UPDATES BELOW)
Background: Engineered Land Solutions is a development company that wants to put a data center on a more than 1,800-acre plot of land in Walnut Cove. This project was previously named Project Delta, which was approved on Jan 12, 2026. The rezoning approval was then withdrawn after a community lawsuit filed by SCSJ and SELC. On July 21st, 2026, ELS submitted their new rezoning application. Materials Below!
Where would it be? 1800 acres of land on the Dan River, where highway 311 crosses the Dan. Property next to Belews Creek coal plant.
Developer’s website for the data center: projectdeltanc.com
Sign petition ‘Stop the Hyperscale Data Center Rezoning in Stokes County’ created by Stokes Community member.
Donate to The Stokes County Strong, Data Center Wrong! community group!
Why are Stokes County residents concerned?
- This data center is a threat to local history and heritage, it would be on land that was Upper Saura Town and that has a historic home of the Hairston family.
- The Saura site is also culturally relevant to the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.
- This data center is SPECULATIVE there is no tech company lined up to buy or use this data center, no guarantee this investment pans out. Many economists are warning of an AI bubble, what happens to this project if the bubble pops before they are through?
- The data center would run on methane gas generators while they wait in line to connect to Duke Energy’s grid… unclear how long! Generators are loud and pollute the air.
- Data centers don’t employ many people long term and are one reason electric bills are rising 2x faster than inflation.
- This data center would be on the banks of the Dan River, construction could cause pollution of the Dan.
- This data center does not align with the Stokes County 2035 Land Use Plan, which designates this area for low-density residential use and conservation, not large-scale industrial development. (pg. 81)
Project Delta Application + Supporting Materials
All materials and rezoning application are housed here
Upcoming Events: September 8 Public Hearing-Project Delta
The next public hearing before County commissioners will be Tuesday, Sept 8, with presentations from Data Center developer, ELS, and County Staff starting at 5pm. There will be a public comment window from 6 to 9pm. As far as we know, there will be NO VOTE at this hearing, and it will just be an opportunity for community members to voice concerns. Community members are not required to stay during the full comment period but are welcome to stay if they’d like. If you’d like to make a comment, you may sign up in advance to speak at the hearing here: Sept. 8th Public Hearing Sign-Up. Members of the public who do not sign up in advance may sign up on the night of the hearing, subject to available time.
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026,
- from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
- 1014 Main Street, Danbury, NC 27016
Written comments may be submitted before and during the hearing to PublicComments@co.stokes.nc.us.
questions? email Erika at erika@cwfnc.org
County Updates: Planning Board + Board of Commissioners
On July 15, 2026, the Stokes County Board of Commissioners voted against the proposed six-month moratorium in a 3-2 vote and approved all text amendments for how data centers will be regulated in Stokes County moving forward. While these decisions changed the path moving forward, it’s still crucial to stay involved in organizing.
On July 21, 2026, Developer Engineered Land Solutions submitted its new rezoning application.
On August 13, 2026, the Stokes Planning Board voted 5-2 to deny Data Center rezoning in Walnut Cove. Next, the County Commissioners will have a final vote on the rezoning for Project Delta. It is crucial to attend all Stokes Commissioners’ meetings moving forward! The hearing date is not yet set.
Stokes Community members are asking the County Commissioners to:
- Deny the rezoning request for Project Delta Data Center!
- Partnership with community members and DFC Stokes LLC to come together on a more stable and sustainable use for the land currently under consideration for rezoning. This land is important to Stokes County’s history, the Saura People, the Hairston and Sally Blagg descendants, and for protecting the Dan River.
Questions? Email erika@cwfnc.org
Spread the Word!
Resources to educate your neighbors:
Share information on social media:
- Local Facebook group that encourages public participation and conversation regarding proposed data center: Stokes County Character Preservation
- Local Facebook group that shares research, updates, and official information about the proposed data center project in Stokes County: Stokes County Strong, Data Center Wrong
- Sign petition created by Stokes Community member. Sign here
- (Created by Community Member) Print petition here: Petition Stokes Co
- Flyer for Aug 13 Stokes Planning Board meeting: Aug 13 Planning Board meeting- flyer
Comments(2)
Wanda Wall says:
December 20, 2025 at 10:46 amTotally against
Mike Hobert says:
December 24, 2025 at 5:43 pmWhere can I find a detailed map of the proposed development area?