Developers Drop Plans for 123-Acre Data Center in Matthews

Plans for a massive tech facility in Matthews, North Carolina, have fallen through. The team scrapped their bid to rezone 123 acres for Project Accelerate, which would have put up five two-story buildings near I-485 on East John Street.

"The development team for Project Accelerate has requested withdrawal of its rezoning petition," said a spokesperson for Crosland Southeast, according to WBTV. "This will allow additional time to explore options."

Matthews Mayor John Higdon broke the news on social media Tuesday night. "Thank you for your diligence and engagement through this process; your investment in our community is one of the many reasons Matthews is an incredible place to call home," Higdon wrote on Facebook.

Local pushback proved too strong. Crowds packed town meetings to voice their concerns. At a September meeting, Emily Moore, who started a petition that gained over 2,700 signatures, told officials, per The Charlotte Observer, "What I want for Matthews is responsible development."

The site would have drawn a staggering 600 megawatts of power. Locals feared spikes in utility costs, constant noise, heavy water use, and damage to their small-town feel.

Town staff found the project clashed with the 2017 East John Area Plan. Instead of tech buildings, that blueprint called for a blend of stores, houses, and work spaces.

“I'd be surprised if Matthews would let anything dramatic take place here; they are pretty particular about their zoning," Chad Warren, the owner of a nearby restaurant, said per WCNC Charlotte.

This marks the third such project to fail in North Carolina lately. Both Tarboro and Mooresville saw plans collapse for sites that would have used 700 megawatts.

Town leaders never got to vote on switching the land from homes to industry. Officials have now canceled the Oct. 9 community talk.