Resident urges commissioners to protect county water supply amid proposed Microsoft data center

During the informal‑comment period, Patricia West, who identified herself as a Person County resident, urged the commissioners to require stronger guarantees before approving permits for a proposed Microsoft data center campus in the county.

West told the board she had seen negative changes to lakes after data centers opened in other communities and argued that data centers use a "massive amount of water" for cooling. "I am deeply concerned about Microsoft data center campus," she said, asking the board not to approve permits without assurances that local water supplies will be protected. The clerk verified West’s address on the record. Commissioners did not take immediate action during the meeting; the comment was recorded for the public record and the board did not vote on the underlying permitting question at the session.