At SAGA, our mission has always been to promote responsible growth in Sanford, Broadway, and Lee County – growth that creates new opportunities for our residents and makes our community an even better place to call home.
Recent conversations on social media about a “fracking AI data center” in Lee County have included the misconception that SAGA is involved in this project. We want to be clear: SAGA stands firmly against fracking in Lee County to power an AI data center. This project is not affiliated with or supported by SAGA.
Modern, sustainable data centers do not use fracking. They don’t drill for natural gas, don’t extract fossil fuels, and don’t use horizontal drilling techniques. They use electrical power from the grid and backup diesel generators – the same type hospitals, schools, and fire stations rely on.
What is a data center? A facility that stores and processes digital information – the technology behind every text message, video call, and online transaction. Data centers have existed for over 40 years as clean facilities and operate under established environmental and regulatory standards. They’re the infrastructure that powers our increasingly digital world – and that demand isn’t going away.
As data center demand grows regionally, the County is proactively developing standards to ensure if a project comes to Lee County, it meets our community’s expectations for environmental protection and economic benefit. SAGA believes these clear standards will allow modern, sustainable data center projects while preventing operations that don’t meet our community standards.
A responsible data center operator could provide significant benefits: dramatic tax base expansion, hundreds of construction jobs, and well-paid permanent career opportunities close to home. Other North Carolina communities, like Catawba County, have seen millions in annual tax revenue funding schools, scholarships, and infrastructure improvements as a result of their embrace of data centers.
On Monday, March 16th at 6pm (2420 Tramway Rd, Sanford) SAGA CEO Jimmy Randolph will present an economic development perspective on data centers at the Lee County Commissioners Meeting. This is an opportunity to hear accurate information about the implications of data centers for Lee County’s future.