Wrightsville residents press for answers on proposed Avio data center

Residents of a neighborhood squeezed between the Arkansas River and Interstate 530 urged city officials to provide clearer information about two proposed data centers, saying they have been shown the projects’ benefits but not the downsides.

The concern surfaced in public comments when Demeta Riley, identified in the record as a former Wrightsville City council member, said she was frustrated by what she described as unanswered questions about the proposed Avio Data Center site. "We're a poor Black community," Riley said. "Why does all these data centers coming down here?" Residents also noted that the company behind one proposal did not attend community engagement meetings to answer concerns.

Why it matters: Residents said transparency gaps have left them unsure about potential health and environmental impacts and the local decisionmaking process. Multiple speakers said they were worried about long-term environmental effects and the lack of independent assessments presented to the community.

What residents said: Community participants summarized presentations as emphasizing economic or technical benefits but omitting detailed information about risks. One resident summed up the sentiment: "We have been presented with all the pros, but none of the cons." Another point raised was that a company representative for one project failed to appear to answer resident questions, which residents said intensified mistrust.

Officials’ response and next steps: The transcript does not record any formal response from city officials or company representatives, nor does it record any votes, motions, or scheduled follow-up; no permitting timeline or environmental reviews were presented in the record. The community’s calls for more transparent information and direct company engagement remain unresolved in the available transcript.

The meeting record shows community concern focused on siting, transparency and potential health and environmental impacts; it does not show any formal action or decision on the proposed projects.