Commissioners hear update on data center rules
The McDowell county board of commissioners meeting was held Monday at historic carson house.
On Monday, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners heard an update on the process of developing rules regarding data centers in McDowell and urged local residents to get involved.
The update on data centers was heard during Monday's meeting of the commissioners, which was held at Historic Carson House.
On Monday, Aug. 31, the McDowell commissioners unanimously agreed to implement a sixmonth moratorium on any possible data centers in McDowell County until new rules can be put in place. This action was taken after numerous people filled the commission boardroom and expressed their strong opposition to the controversial centers. The county's Planning Board has been assigned the task of creating rules for a data center, if one is to be built here.
The county's Planning Board held its most recent meeting on Monday, Sept. 28, in the McDowell County Services Building, located at 60 E. Court St. in Marion. In sharp contrast to the commissioner meetings, which drew overflow crowds, the Planning Board meeting where the rules are actually being discussed drew only two people, Commissioner Trisha Garner said.
The Planning Board continues to welcome public input regarding data centers, and it meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the first-floor boardroom of the McDowell County Services Building. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m., said interim County Manager Will Kehler.
Individuals who are unable to attend may submit comments by email to Planning Director Ron Harmon at ronald.harmon@mcdowellnc.gov, county officials said.
In other business, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners:
■ Held a public hearing about an economic development matter. The McDowell Economic Development Association (MEDA) has requested a public hearing for a building reuse grant. If awarded, this grant would support the expansion of a local company. The project is expected to create 20 new jobs, averaging approximately $19 per hour, and generate a $2 million capital investment. The Building Reuse program provides funding for permanent improvements to existing manufacturing facilities, such as roofing, electrical work, and office renovations. McDowell County would provide $8,000 as a local match for this grant. No one from the public spoke at the hearing, and the matter was approved by the commissioners.
■ Heard an update about the county's ongoing water projects. They include the Old Fort-Marion interconnection project, the third phase of the Nebo water project, the Providence area/West Marion Elementary School area water effort and the completion of the water asset inventory and assessment is now underway. The first steps involve doing a complete inventory of the county's water assets and updating the mapping.
■ Talked about the use of money from the opioid settlement fund. Several years ago, McDowell County commissioners voted to join several thousands of other local governments in a federal lawsuit against the big drug companies that had contributed to the opioid epidemic. As part of the lawsuit's settlement, McDowell County is scheduled to receive over $3.7 million over an 18-year period, and a fund for the local use of this money has been created. The commissioners agreed to provide $37,500 to the Live Like Megan Foundation, which will provide early intervention and family support services for children and families impacted by substance use disorders, with an emphasis on connecting families to resources and services that promote stability and recovery. The commissioners also approved $45,820 to provide a support specialist. McDowell County DSS will contract with Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness to provide a peer support specialist dedicated to working with parents involved with DSS who are impacted by substance use disorder. The position will provide peer recovery support, engagement, resource navigation, and connections to treatment and recovery services.
■ Approved the two-hour closure of Old U.S. 221 South in the Glenwood community on Saturday, Nov. 28. The Glenwood Ruritan Club is planning to conduct their annual Christmas parade on that day. The request was to close Old U.S. 221 South for approximately two hours to safely hold the parade.
■ Approved a series of budget amendments and property tax releases.
■ Reappointed Dennis Whit-son to the Planning Board and appointed Ashley Boone to the Historic Preservation Commission.
■ Heard an update about His-toric Carson House from Chuck Abernathy, chairman of the house's board.
