ECU students protest potential data center facility

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Students and staff at East Carolina University joined members of the community to voice their opposition to a potential crypto mining facility coming to the Greenville area Thursday afternoon.

The group gathered on campus to host a “Say No To Crypto” protest outside of the student center. Organizers posted their concerns on the Pirate Vision screen and handed out materials to students passing by.

Sophomore Owen Bergquist says he’s concerned about the amount of energy a crypto facility could use and thinks that it wouldn’t bring a big enough economic impact to the area.

“I want people to know the issue and how it’s going to impact them,” Bergquist said.

Bergquist says he hopes the protest encourages other students to research crypto mining on their own.

This is not the first protest in opposition to the potential facility. When Compute North first applied for permits in October to build a data center across the street from Belvoir Elementary School, parents and other residents expressed their concern over the noise and energy consumption it would require.

Weeks later, Compute North rescinded its application.

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