HALIFAX — Halifax County officials have announced plans for a minimum $250 million data center project on a 251-acre county-owned industrial site near Enfield that is expected to create at least 50 full-time jobs and generate approximately $2 million annually in county and school tax revenue.
The Halifax County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. to provide information about the project involving Quiet Data Centers Halifax Inc., or QDCH.
The meeting will be held in the Board of Commissioners meeting room on the second floor of the historic courthouse at 10 N. King Street in Halifax. The meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube through the county’s website.
According to information released Monday by Halifax County, commissioners entered into an Economic Development Agreement with QDCH on Dec. 17, 2025, for development of what the county describes as a “small-scale enterprise data center.”
Under the agreement, QDCH is required to make a minimum private capital investment of $250 million and create at least 50 full-time jobs.
The county has agreed to sell QDCH its approximately 251-acre U.S. 301 industrial site near Enfield for $1.7 million. Commissioners determined the purchase price represented the property’s fair market value.
The property is zoned Heavy Industrial and has previously been prepared and marketed by the county for industrial development.
The sale was negotiated without public bidding under North Carolina provisions allowing local governments to convey property for economic development purposes when certain requirements are met.
Project Expected to Generate New Tax Revenue
County officials estimate the minimum $250 million investment would generate approximately $1.75 million annually in property tax revenue for Halifax County.
Because the property is located within the Halifax County Schools taxing district, the county estimates the project would generate an additional $250,000 annually for the school system.
The company has also expressed an intention to work with local schools and workforce development organizations to establish career and technical education and training opportunities for local residents and students.
According to the county, discussions have also taken place regarding possible community investments and partnerships involving schools, nonprofit organizations and the broader Halifax County community.
Project Dates Back to 2025
Although QDCH and the nature of the proposed development were publicly announced Monday, the county’s plans to sell the property for an economic development project date back to at least November 2025.
The Roanoke Valley Reporter reviewed the Nov. 3, 2025 Board of Commissioners meeting and meeting minutes, when commissioners held a required public hearing concerning the proposed conveyance of the property.
During the hearing, Halifax County Economic Development Director Cathy Scott told commissioners the property consisted of approximately 251.85 acres near U.S. Highway 301 and that commissioners had determined its fair market value to be $1.7 million.
Scott said the company would be contractually required to make a minimum $250 million investment at the location and create at least 50 jobs paying wages above the average wage for Halifax County.
The company was not publicly identified during the presentation, nor was the proposed development identified as a data center.
No members of the public spoke during the public hearing.
The county and QDCH subsequently executed the Economic Development Agreement and a separate land purchase agreement on Dec. 17, 2025.
According to Monday’s announcement, the county was required to maintain confidentiality while the company conducted due diligence related to the project, including reviews of infrastructure requirements, utility demands, site compatibility and anticipated economic impacts.
The county said QDCH has now permitted public disclosure of the project.
Who Is Quiet Data Centers Halifax?
North Carolina Secretary of State records reviewed by the Roanoke Valley Reporter show Quiet Data Centers Halifax Inc. registered to do business in North Carolina on Dec. 9, 2025, eight days before the county entered into the Economic Development Agreement and land purchase agreement with the company.
The company’s North Carolina registered agent is United States Corporation Agents Inc., with a Charlotte address.
According to the Secretary of State records, Quiet Data Centers Halifax was originally incorporated in Delaware on May 5, 2025.
Corporate records identify Brendan Morris as president, Brian Leonard as chief operating officer and Andrew Stahl as chairman of the board.
All three officers are listed with a Newark, Delaware address.
Power, Water and Noise Addressed
The county’s announcement addressed several issues that have generated concerns surrounding data center developments, including electricity consumption, water usage and noise.
The facility will require significant electrical power, according to the county, and electrical infrastructure has been a major component of discussions surrounding the project.
The county said QDCH will be responsible for all costs associated with the electrical infrastructure necessary to serve the facility.
Utility officials have indicated that residential customers are not expected to experience increased electric bills as a result of the project, according to the county.
County officials also said the facility will not be a major water user.
Rather than relying on evaporative cooling that requires a continuous supply of replacement water, the proposed facility is expected to use a sealed cooling loop that repeatedly circulates the same water.
The county described anticipated noise from the facility as similar to “the hum of a small refrigerator.”
According to the county, a tree-lined buffer surrounds the site. The nearest residence is approximately 800 feet from the site, while the nearest public road is approximately 2,500 feet away.
Reporter Seeking Additional Information
The Roanoke Valley Reporter has submitted additional questions to Halifax County seeking more information about the project.
Among the information requested are copies of the Economic Development Agreement and land purchase agreement, details about the $1.7 million property valuation, requirements attached to the company’s $250 million investment and 50-job commitment, wage requirements, tax revenue projections and whether any additional public incentives are associated with the project.
The Reporter has also requested additional information concerning the project’s electrical and water demands, required infrastructure, anticipated noise levels, environmental permitting and the use of backup generators.
Additional questions were submitted regarding the confidentiality surrounding the project, including what due diligence or other contingencies remained after the agreements were executed in December and when QDCH authorized public disclosure.
The Reporter will provide additional information as it becomes available.
The Aug. 25 special meeting is expected to include presentations from QDCH representatives, county officials and other stakeholders involved in the project. Members of the public will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
