Archived campaign page. Project Iron Spur rezoning case F-1669 was denied on . This page preserves the campaign record. For the latest Forsyth County data center zoning status, visit the homepage.

Rezoning status Project Iron Spur denied

On , the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 to deny rezoning case F-1669, the proposed Project Iron Spur hyperscale data center in Rural Hall.

Thank you to every resident, neighbor, volunteer, speaker, researcher, canvasser, signer, and supporter who helped protect Rural Hall.

Final vote Forsyth County Commissioners: Denied 5-2

How commissioners voted

Voted to DENY data center:

  • Dan Besse
  • Tonya McDaniel
  • Richard Linville
  • Gray Wilson
  • Malishai Woodbury

Voted to APPROVE data center:

  • Don Martin
  • Gloria D. Whisenhunt

This site will remain online to honor the work residents did together in Rural Hall and Forsyth County, and help other communities facing similar threats.

Help Stopthe proposedHyperscale Data CenterProject Iron Spurin Rural Hall, NC

“The garden spot of the world”

Forsyth County considered a 128.54-acre rezoning request to build a hyperscale data center campus, named “Project Iron Spur”, across the street from Rural Hall Town Hall. Commissioners denied the request on .

Why this matters

Pastor Andrew Craver of Rural Hall Moravian Church speaks about what the proposed data center would mean for Rural Hall.

Had it been approved, this project would have permanently transformed the heart of Rural Hall into a utility-heavy industrial campus. It would have included its own power substation, extensive mechanical equipment, and acres of cleared and developed land. The project would have permanently changed the town’s character and replaced open land and wildlife habitat. It would also have threatened streams and wetlands. Nearby residents would have faced long-term risks from continuous industrial noise, diesel generator emissions, and immense water and electricity demand.

On , the City-County Planning Board voted 7-2 to recommend denial for rezoning request F-1669. On , the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners denied the rezoning 5-2. See meetings and the homepage for current Forsyth County data center zoning updates.

Take Action Now

Sign the petition

Join more than 5,000 others in showing visible public opposition and building momentum.

Sign the petition

Contact County Commissioners

These are the officials that will vote on the rezoning request. Email them and urge them to vote NO on rezoning request F-1669 / Project Iron Spur.

Email commissioners

Contact other leadership

Find county officials, local leaders, and other public bodies that should hear from you about this proposal.

View full contact list

Attend upcoming meetings

Show up, stay informed, and make sure decision-makers see strong public opposition to the proposal.

View upcoming meetings

Get involved

Want to help? Reach out and let us know how you'd like to provide support.

Get involved

Help spread the word

Share this site with neighbors, family, local businesses, and community groups.

Upcoming meetings

No upcoming meetings currently scheduled. See past meetings and recordings for the July 30 commissioners hearing and earlier public meetings.

See past meetings and recordings

The Threat on Broad Street

A Rural Hall resident explains concerns about volatile butane storage located near the proposed Project Iron Spur data center power station, nearby homes, and Broad Street.

Who to contact

Forsyth County needs clear zoning rules for modern data centers. Project Iron Spur was denied, but the county’s zoning classifications still need to be updated so future data center proposals are reviewed under standards that match their size, infrastructure demands, and community impacts.

Forsyth County Commissioners

Decision makers
Email Commissioners

Forsyth County commissioners have authority over county zoning decisions. Contact them and ask them to support updating the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO) so data centers have their own category, definitions, use-specific conditions, and development standards.

Rural Hall Mayor and Town Council

LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Contact

On , the Town Council voted 3-1 to adopt Resolution 912, replacing Resolution 901, withdrawing Rural Hall’s opposition, and expressing support for the proposed data center. The special meeting was announced only three days earlier as a “Project Iron Spur/Data Center Discussion,” and residents were not allowed to speak before the vote.

What residents need to know

Quick summary

A data center is a large industrial facility filled with computers that run websites, apps, cloud services, and artificial intelligence systems. These facilities operate 24 hours a day and require major electricity, cooling, and utility infrastructure. A developer proposed a hyperscale data center campus immediately next to Rural Hall, across the street from Town Hall in the town center, in a location that would have directly affected the community. The formal rezoning request covered 128.54 acres. Forsyth County commissioners denied the rezoning on .

Who decides?

Because the site is in unincorporated Forsyth County, the rezoning request is reviewed and decided through the county process, even though the project would directly affect Rural Hall and surrounding areas.

Location

This site is located near Glade Street and Bethania-Rural Hall Road, directly across from Rural Hall's Town Hall on land that has previously been farmland.

Map: 8084 Glade St area - across the street from Rural Hall Town Hall

The proposal would rezone this area for light industrial use, even though the Rural Hall Area Plan envisions mixed-use development here rather than a large industrial campus.

Satellite view of Rural Hall with the proposed three-building project site highlighted in orange near Town Hall, Frank's Restaurant, and Tobaccoville Road, May 15, 2026 revision.

Site plan: Per the last submitted developer site plan, submitted May 15, 2026.

Area map: Rural Hall town shown in blue and the proposed three-building project site in orange, May 15, 2026 revision.

Area map: Blue indicates town of Rural Hall; orange indicates the proposed project site.

Project Iron Spur details

Project parties
  • Developer: The company behind the proposed project and rezoning request.
    Drox Group LLC
  • Project Manager: The consulting firm representing the developer, and the proposed project, in public meetings and community outreach.
    Montrose LLC
  • End user of data center: The company that would ultimately occupy or operate the facility has not been publicly disclosed.
    Unknown to the public
Location
Rural Hall, Forsyth County
Site area
Approximately 144 acres
Buildings
3 two-story data-center buildings
Combined gross floor area
1,122,300 square feet
Maximum height
80 feet (approximately 84 feet to top of rooftop or mechanical equipment)
Utility infrastructure
Substation and related utility infrastructure
Intended use
Hyperscale data center (AI / computing)

Why this project harms Rural Hall and public health

See supporting resources

Community response

About NDCRH

No Data Center Rural Hall is a resident-led group formed during the fight against Project Iron Spur, the proposed hyperscale data center that would have been built across from Rural Hall Town Hall.

On July 30, 2026, Forsyth County commissioners denied that rezoning. Residents then researched the zoning gap, drafted a proposed UDO text amendment, raised the $2,000 filing fee, and delivered the proposal. The county declined to accept it under state down-zoning law.

NDCRH still helps residents stay informed. We put source materials in one place and keep track of public meetings. We show people how to reach the officials who decide these cases. When another data center proposal shows up aimed at a rural community, we help neighbors organize and push back.

We are nonpartisan, resident-led, and focused on protecting Rural Hall and Forsyth County.

Resources

Videos

Watch community perspectives on the proposed Project Iron Spur data center.

Why this matters Why this matters video thumbnail

Pastor Andrew Craver of Rural Hall Moravian Church.

Watch video
The Threat on Broad Street The Threat on Broad Street video thumbnail

Presented at the July community forum.

Watch video
July Community Forum presentations July Community Forum presentations video thumbnail

Presentations from the July 14 community forum.

Watch video
July Community Forum Q&A July Community Forum Q&A video thumbnail

Q&A from the July 14 community forum.

Watch video

Download / Print / Share materials

Use these materials to help share information with neighbors, local businesses, and community groups.

The Silent Hum slide deck

Presented at the July community forum.

View slides

Official documents and public records

Project Iron Spur applicant-submitted materials

Current revised site plan (May 15, 2026): The aerial overlay exhibit below is the latest publicly available applicant site plan for F-1669. Supporting May 15 applicant materials follow.

These materials were submitted by the project applicant/developer and may be revised before or after public hearings. Project-size figures on this site reflect the May 15, 2026 revision.

Rural Hall Town Council Resolution 912

On , the Town Council adopted Resolution 912, replacing Resolution 901, withdrawing Rural Hall’s opposition, and expressing support for the proposed data center.

Rural Hall Town Council resolution opposing the proposed data center

Rural Hall’s elected town leadership formally opposed the proposed data center rezoning by passing resolution 901. This is a meaningful action from Rural Hall leadership. Forsyth County still has the final authority over the rezoning decision.

Official land use plans for Rural Hall

The most detailed official guidance for this exact site is still the Rural Hall Area Plan Update (adopted August 8, 2016). The plan details the project site to be mixed-use development, not industrial or anything resembling a data center campus at this scale.

Forward 2045 Comprehensive Plan

Adopted 2024/2025. The county-wide vision for future growth and development.

View Forward 2045 Planning & Development

Why data centers at this scale raise concern

Media

June 11 Planning Board hearing and recommendation

June 22 Rural Hall Town Council reversal

Resolution 901 and Rural Hall’s opposition

Earlier coverage