With the closing of the $1.7 million land purchase deal between Halifax County and Quiet Data Centers Halifax becoming official Friday, what will be contained in a separate community benefits package is still under consideration.

Commissioner Gary Redding, who last week asked fellow board members for a mutually agreed-upon extension, said now that the closing has taken place, he will focus on what happens next.

“Before the closing, I asked the county to seek a mutually agreed extension,” he said in response to questions submitted by rrspin.com Sunday evening. “I believed we needed more time for public input, independent expert review, and answers to unresolved questions. As I became increasingly concerned about the lack of public involvement, I advocated for holding a public forum and continued to push for additional opportunities for citizens to be heard.”

Redding also raised the need for a community benefits agreement and believed it should have been negotiated before the property was conveyed.

Now, he said, “I want the public and other community stakeholders to have a meaningful voice as we move forward. That is especially important as the county considers a community benefits agreement. Enfield residents should be part of that discussion, along with community organizations, Halifax Community College, our schools, workforce development partners, first responders, and other stakeholders. These groups could form an advisory board to identify community priorities and present recommendations to the board of commissioners.”

As part of the economic development agreement for QDCH’s $250 million investment in the Enfield Industrial Park off Highway 301, Halifax County Schools will receive $250,000 a year.

Redding said that as an additional community benefits package is sought, he would like it to “include meaningful and measurable commitments. Those could include workforce development, local training and employment opportunities, scholarships, community investment, and support for first responders. The commitments should be in writing, and there should be a way to measure whether they are being met.”

While it won’t affect the QDCH project, commissioners plan a legislative hearing next month to consider a moratorium on future data center development in the county. “If the board adopts a temporary moratorium, we should use that time to hear from the public, seek independent expertise, and review our ordinances and regulations,” Redding said. “We need to consider water use, noise, generators, energy infrastructure, environmental protections, decommissioning, and other potential impacts.”

He also wants the board to look at the process itself. “I believe in economic development, but I also believe citizens should have a meaningful opportunity to be heard before major decisions are made,” he said. “We should provide information earlier and give citizens a meaningful opportunity for input before major economic development decisions are made, while respecting legal requirements for confidentiality. The closing has occurred, but that should not close the door on public participation. There are still important decisions ahead, and the community should have a meaningful voice in those decisions.”

Responses to questions by rrspin from County Manager Dia Denton regarding the closing and the benefits package are expected later today.