East Spencer starts data center ordinance

EAST SPENCER — The East Spencer Board of Aldermen has started drafting a data center ordinance as they prepare for the possible annexation of the Long Ferry Road data center development. Project construction timelines and specifics remain uncertain, but town discussions and public permitting offer more detail on the expected building size, water use and electricity sources. Over the last few months, ground has been moving at the Long Ferry Road data center site. The development company Edged has started erosion control and initial preparations for substation construction, according to Rowan County public permitting records. However, in April 2026, the county said Edged would not build the data center until an end user is finalized. As it stands, the property is still under Rowan County zoning. East Spencer, Spencer, Rowan County and the developer had an agreement that the property would be annexed into the towns, according to Salisbury Post reporting in April 2026.

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