Compute North turns its back on Pitt County facility following push back

Following mounting concerns from locals, the controversial data center heading for Pitt County is no longer happening. Compute North has announced that it has requested to withdraw its permit application for a data center that would have been located opposite the nearby Belvoir Elementary School.

Local residents and critics had vocally opposed the facility, arguing that it would create significant noise pollution and guzzle huge amounts of energy.

In a statement following the company's withdrawal, Compute North said: "After thoughtful review of our proposed data center facility in Pitt County, Compute North has decided that it is in the best interest of all stakeholders to pursue an alternative location for our project. We are confident in our ability to meet all county ordinances to ensure compliance and do have a genuine desire to contribute as a valuable member of the local economy."

Adding: "With support from our local partners, we remain optimistic about receiving approval to commence with building a new data center facility in Eastern North Carolina, bringing benefits to the local economy and power grid. Integrity is a core value at Compute North and our desire to be a good neighbor and valued member of the business community is authentic and unwavering."

In order to ensure that the bitcoin company did indeed withdraw its application, opponents assembled outside the county office in protest.

Explaining this, Alex Urban, advocacy coordinator for the Association of Mexicans in North Carolina, said: "We're standing here mostly because we want to see it through, we want to make sure the company follows through on their promises. But as far as what we were all thinking, I know first thing is relief. Belvoir School is the first school that I volunteered at speaking Spanish, it's the first school that you think of in this area when you think of communities coming together and trying to learn. And knowing that this company was not going to try and invade in a sense..."