Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
01. Why a Data Center in Matthews?
Matthews offers the right mix of land, power, and fiber that makes it ideal for data center investment:
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Land: Over 120 acres of flat, upland property with natural tree buffers for screening.
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Power: Directly adjacent to Duke Energy’s Morningstar Tie Station and multiple 230kV transmission lines – critical for power-intensive technology uses.
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Connectivity: Major fiber routes already serve the East John Street corridor, enabling low-latency, high-speed connections.
Community Fit: Data centers generate low traffic, no school impacts, and minimal daily water demand, making them a friendly neighbor to the community.
02. Why pivot from mixed-use to a data center?
The original mixed-use plan included residential and commercial components, but there remained a strong desire for a use that created jobs and generated higher tax revenue. When the opportunity for a data center emerged, the development team decided to pivot because it aligned with community goals for employment and long-term economic sustainability. The residential portion on the opposite side of E John St has moved forward separately, while the larger portion of the site is dedicated solely to the data center – and now known as Project Accelerate.
03. Will this project raise electricity rates for Matthews residents?
No. All power-related costs – including new substations, transmission lines, and interconnection – will be 100% paid for by the project. Residents and businesses will not share in these costs.
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Duke Energy is studying the optimal way to serve the project without impacting reliability and service for local users.
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The improvements Duke Energy requests will be 100% paid for by the project.
04. How much power will the data center use?
At full buildout, Project Accelerate will require several hundred megawatts. This is a large-scale demand, and the costs are privately funded. Project Accelerate will fund a new dedicated substation to handle its higher load, ensuring others in the area are not impacted.
05. What about water and sewer demand?
The data center will use a closed-loop cooling system, meaning water is filled once and then recycled within the system:
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Daily water use: 20,000–50,000 gallons per day (comparable to a small office building — primarily restrooms, fire suppression loops, and any landscape irrigation requirements).
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Contrast: Older-generation data centers consumed millions of gallons daily, but modern design significantly reduces demand.
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The developer will extend water and sewer infrastructure at their expense, creating new utility capacity that nearby properties can also access.
06. How much traffic will it create?
Very little compared to other potential land uses:
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An 800,000 SF data center generates about 60–70 PM peak trips per hour.
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By contrast:
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A shopping center (100,000 SF) would create ~540 peak trips per hour.
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A high school (3,000 students) would create ~420 peak trips per hour.
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A 300-unit apartment building would create ~270 peak trips per hour.
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Takeaway: Data centers are among the lowest traffic generators of any major land use. (Source: ITE’s 11th Edition, 2021)
07. What will it look like?
The campus will feature high-quality, Class A buildings with substantial buffers:
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Buildings are typically 2 stories, with floorplates of 100,000 SF or more.
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Construction is hurricane-rated, among the most robust buildings in the world.
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Setbacks and landscaping ensure facilities are screened from East John Street and Campus Ridge.
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Security measures include perimeter fencing, guardhouses, biometric access, and controlled entry.
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The goal is to limit visibility from public roads while creating a secure, modern campus.
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08. What are the economic benefits?
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Jobs: 150–500 permanent employees, depending on buildout, with average salaries of ~$100,000. For every 1 on-site job, ~6 contracting jobs are generated (electricians, plumbers, and other contractors).
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Tax Base: Data centers represent one of the highest-value property tax uses available, generating a potential $14–18 million (real estate and personal property) in annual local revenue at full buildout, with minimal additional service costs (schools, police, traffic).
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Ripple Effects: Employees and contractors spend money locally, strengthening Matthews’ retail and service economy.
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Infrastructure Upgrades: Privately funded power and water/sewer improvements enhance capacity for the entire Matthews corridor.
09. When will construction begin and how long will it take?
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Timeline: Groundbreaking is expected within ~18 months of rezoning approval.
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Buildout: Each phase takes 12–18 months, with total completion in 3–5 years.
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Why Speed Matters: Duke Energy’s large-load study results must be acted on quickly. Zoning approval enables the project to move in sync with Duke Energy’s timeline.
10. What about trees, wildlife, and green space?
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A full tree study has been completed.
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Buffers: Tree buffers around the site, especially near residential areas, will be preserved.
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Interior: Trees inside the development footprint must be cleared for safety and storm resilience. Buildings must be set back from potential tree hazards.
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Wildlife: Developers are coordinating with environmental groups (like HAWK). Migratory patterns are being considered, with tree clearing scheduled outside sensitive seasons.
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Enhancements: A linear park and multimodal path will be added, potentially with public art, small parklets, and birdwatching or nature-viewing opportunities, to strengthen community connection.
11. Will this affect water/sewer or power availability for neighbors?
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No. All improvements are 100% funded by the project.
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New infrastructure will expand capacity in the corridor, benefiting other properties.
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Neither residents nor businesses will see reduced service or higher utility costs.
12. What about noise?
Data centers are quiet compared to many other uses:
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Typical equipment noise levels are in the range of normal indoor conversation or an office HVAC system (~50–60 dB).
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By comparison, lawnmowers are ~90 dB, tractor trailers ~100 dB, and construction equipment 110+ dB.
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In short: A data center is much quieter than the everyday neighborhood sounds like lawn care or existing traffic.
13. How does this project benefit Matthews long-term?
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Future-Proofing: Diversifies the economic base beyond residential development.
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Sustainability: Ties Matthews into the digital economy with infrastructure that supports growth for decades.
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Community Value: Provides long-term revenues that reduce reliance on raising taxes for residents.
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Vision Alignment: Creates high-paying jobs that align with Matthews’ housing and transportation goals—residents can live and work locally, reducing commuting burdens.