Rockingham City Council to Vote on $1.2 Billion Data Center

The Rockingham City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday to decide on a rezoning request for a proposed $1.2 billion data center. The project, known as Project Blue Marlin, involves Amazon.com, Inc. and would occupy 165 acres at 316 Old Cheraw Highway. Terra Nexus Land Fund I, LLC is seeking to change the property's designation from high-density residential to conditional light industrial.

The Rockingham Planning Board has already unanimously recommended approval of the request. The developer pivoted to an industrial project after homebuilders showed little interest in the site because of its proximity to a wastewater treatment facility. The proposed facility is expected to create 30 full-time jobs and will employ a closed-loop cooling system to reduce water consumption.

While the project represents a significant investment, some local residents have raised concerns about the impact of data centers. State Representative Ben Moss, who previously owned part of the land, has called for transparency and public discussion regarding the development.