Day 11: Your Questions, Their Answers: Holly Springs (NC) Mayoral and Town Council Candidate Q&A Series
Biotech, Pharma, Industrial & Technology Strategy: What are your thoughts on the proposed AI data center near the nuclear plant, and would you allow a similar facility in Holly Springs?
Holly Springs, NC, Oct. 4, 2025 — As Holly Springs prepares for the upcoming municipal elections, Holly Springs Update (HSU) and What’s Happening Holly Springs (WHHS) are working to give residents a clear view of where the candidates stand on key issues.
Earlier this month, all candidates were provided with a questionnaire developed from community-driven submissions and refined by Christian Hendricks, publisher of HSU, and Aaron Wenzel, moderator of WHHS. Candidate response documents were first published together in a story on September 22nd.
Earlier story: All Candidate Submissions Now Published in Holly Springs (NC) Mayoral & Town Council Questionnaire (9/22/25).
To facilitate easier comparison and contrast of answers, responses are being shared on an individual basis. Beginning September 24 and continuing through October 4, one question will be featured each day.
Today’s installment marks the final day of the series. For readers who missed prior days’ coverage, stories can be found by clicking on the links below:
Day 1: How will you ensure that growth does not outpace the town’s capacity for infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, safety, technology, utilities)?
Day 2: What specific steps would you take to address congestion on NC 55, Avent Ferry, Sunset Lake, and other deficient roads and connectivity and walkability of greenways and sidewalks?
Day 3: What steps would you take to improve school safety and better protect students?
Day 4: How would you address school overcrowding and frequent student reassignments?
Day 9: How should arts and culture be prioritized as part of Holly Springs’ economic development strategy?
Note: All candidate responses are published exactly as submitted, without editing, and are presented in alphabetical order by last name. Links are also provided below to all answers from each candidate and their respective campaign websites.
Question 11: Biotech, Pharma, Industrial & Technology Strategy
What are your thoughts on the proposed AI data center near the nuclear plant, and would you allow a similar facility in Holly Springs?
Mayoral Candidate Answers
Mike Kondratick
As proposed, I’m skeptical of the data center in New Hill/Apex.
The noise and air pollution from its 80 generators, based on its location near Harris Lake, has the potential to negatively affect the local environment that our residents enjoy, while adding nothing to our Holly Springs tax base.
A Holly Springs location is more difficult to assess. I remain concerned with the environmental impacts and the facility’s potential to increase our residents’ power bills at a time when the cost of living continues to rise.
But additional considerations will come with this decision:
• How much tax revenue will it generate that can help us address the Town’s other challenges?
• Will the town incur any costs to support the construction?
• Is the developer offering the Town any infrastructure or other benefits?
• How many non-construction jobs will be created?
Without compelling answers to the economic questions, it’s a project that would be difficult to support.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Sean Mayefskie
Major biotech employers like Amgen, Seqirus, and Fujifilm have chosen Holly Springs for good reason — our infrastructure, workforce, and vision align with long-term success. These companies bring great jobs and tax revenue that fund parks, roads, and schools. If elected to a second term, I’ll continue ensuring these investments support — not replace — the character of our town. With any future industrial or technology proposal, I’ll approach the decision the same way I always have: with transparency, balance, and community input.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Town Council Candidate Answers
Joe Cuccurullo
Like many residents and elected officials in both Holly Springs and surrounding municipalities, I have not had a positive reaction to the proposed AI data center near the nuclear plant. Based on the information currently available, this project would consume an enormous amount of utility resources, particularly energy and water, without offering clear benefits that outweigh those costs for the community.
For that reason, with the data we have today, I am firmly opposed to the AI data center proposal. It is not the type of project that I would support pursuing here in Holly Springs.
When we consider industrial or technology projects, they must demonstrate clear value for our town. That means strong fiscal benefits, minimal strain on utilities and infrastructure, and a net positive impact on residents’ quality of life. If a proposal cannot meet those standards, then it does not belong in Holly Springs.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Annie Drees
While AI data centers are needed, I would not vote for a facility like that in Holly Springs. AI has a ton of potential capability in how it can be used to rethink the way we work. However, these datacenters use substantial resources and don’t provide a significant number of jobs. It is not a good use of our land.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Tim Forrest
The proposed AI data center near the nuclear plant highlights the balance communities must strike between economic development and environmental responsibility. While I recognize the tax revenue potential, I do not believe a similar facility would be appropriate for Holly Springs. Data centers are enormous consumers of water and electricity and bring very few permanent jobs relative to their size. At a time when Holly Springs is working to carefully manage water capacity and ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth, a project of this scale would create more strain than benefit. I also believe our land use priorities should reflect our residents’ vision: growing a balanced economy around life sciences, advanced manufacturing, small businesses, and a vibrant downtown. Those sectors bring good jobs, strengthen our tax base, and enhance quality of life without the environmental trade-offs of a massive data center. The bottom line: while I welcome responsible economic growth, I would not support locating an AI data center in Holly Springs. Our focus should remain on projects that fit our infrastructure, protect natural resources, and deliver real value to residents and businesses alike.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Kara Foster
Holly Springs has emerged as a national hub for life sciences, with more than $2 billion in recent biotech investment. Projects like the $700 million Genentech facility and the $550 million FUJIFILM Diosynth expansion bring thousands of high-paying jobs, strengthen our tax base, and enhance our reputation as a center of innovation. I strongly support this kind of growth because it aligns with our long-term vision and creates opportunity for residents.
The proposed AI data center near the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant, however, presents different challenges. The project is enormous, 189 acres, six buildings up to 70 feet tall, 250 megawatts of power demand, and 80 diesel generators. Residents are rightly concerned about environmental impacts, noise, water usage, and who pays for infrastructure upgrades.
My position is that any project of this scale must meet three standards, full transparency with residents, clear environmental and health safeguards, and developer-funded infrastructure. Innovation is welcome, but not at the expense of our community’s health, safety, or financial stability.
By holding projects accountable to our community’s vision, we can embrace the right kind of growth while protecting the future of Holly Springs.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Sarah Larson
Major projects like the proposed AI data center near the nuclear plant have wide-ranging implications for land use, the environment, and the community. While these projects can bring economic opportunity, it is essential that they are evaluated carefully, with transparency, public input, and a focus on long-term impact for Holly Springs residents. I would work with our local partners, experts, staff, fellow councilmembers and the residents, to ensure we have all of the information needed to make informed decisions.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Josh Prizer
I have not been briefed on the specifics of this project but I don’t think such a facility makes sense near our town. It may make more sense for the county but I’d have to look at the specifics before casting an opinion. The draw on water and other resources along with the potential environmental impact seem too great to be worth it to the town and the residents. There are similar issues around the country with Data Centers and their strain on small towns.
I would not like to render a final verdict on it now but I’m open to investigating the project and learning facts about it.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)