New Hampshire Data Center Developer Withdraws Project Hours Before Town Meeting

A proposed data center project in Nottingham, New Hampshire was abruptly withdrawn by its developer hours before a scheduled town meeting that had been moved to a larger venue due to growing public opposition. Thomas Moulton, the local developer backing the project through Nottingham Business Park LLC, announced the withdrawal of his conceptual consultation request without prejudice, citing a need for additional research and to determine whether the site was appropriate for such development.

The project had faced mounting backlash from residents of the town of approximately 5,300 people who expressed concerns about environmental impacts, noise pollution, water consumption, and the transformation of their rural community. A Change.org petition opposing the development garnered more than 25,000 signatures. Brad Weit, who initiated the petition, emphasized the community's desire to preserve Nottingham's character as a forested and lake-filled region rather than convert it into industrial infrastructure. He noted particular alarm given the region's existing severe drought conditions spanning years.

Moulton acknowledged that environmental concerns, noise fears, and water pollution anxieties drove much of the opposition. He attributed some resistance to what he characterized as misconceptions, including claims the building would span 40 acres when the actual proposal was approximately 4 acres. The developer argued the project could have generated substantial tax revenue for the town's limited commercial tax base but indicated he decided to retreat rather than continue facing the backlash, which included threats against his life.

The Nottingham dispute reflects a broader national pattern of community resistance to data center expansion. As technology companies accelerate infrastructure development to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing, residents across the United States from Virginia to Georgia to Texas have increasingly demanded stricter environmental regulations and oversight. Communities have raised concerns about strain on water supplies, massive electricity consumption, constant operational noise, and the conversion of rural landscapes into industrial zones.

Tracey Stickney, a coordinator for Nottingham's Planning Department, expressed support for community engagement on local issues, noting it was positive to see residents care about their town. She anticipated residents would still attend the scheduled meeting to voice their concerns despite the project's withdrawal.