‘It really does show just how much our voices matter and how much community matters,’ says person who launched petition

A proposed artificial intelligence data centre in Armour Township, south of North Bay, will not be moving forward, with the developer citing required studies and public feedback as factors in the decision.

Matt Fuller, founder of Almaguin Data Inc., says the company will not be moving forward with the project at the Highway 520 Industrial Park.

“Our team and investors recently completed their review of the studies required and public feedback for the application,” Fuller wrote. “And we won’t be moving forward with the proposed data centre at the Hwy 520 industrial park.”

The township confirmed this week it had not heard from Fuller since his March 10 email to council, in which he indicated he needed approximately 60 days to review required studies — a window that has since passed.

The announcement comes after a groundswell of community opposition, with a petition that has reached over 1,000 signatures and continues to grow.

South River’s Jordan Gorlick, whose Facebook post first sounded the alarm in the community, called the outcome a win for the region.

“The relief knowing that the Almaguin Data Centre will not be proceeding is incredible,” Gorlick said. “It’s a victory for our communities. This is a testament to the power individuals have when they join forces for the common good.”

Sundridge’s Alyssa Cottrell, who launched the petition, said the response exceeded her expectations.

“I’m amazed at the traction the petition gained and am so happy to be able to help with this outcome,” Cottrell said. “It really does show just how much our voices matter and how much community matters.”

At its March 10 meeting, Armour Township council had passed a resolution expressing support in principle for the sale of a portion of the Highway 520 Industrial Park to Almaguin Data Inc., but with significant conditions attached.

Before any sale could proceed, Fuller was required to provide a full conceptual site plan, confirmation of permanent local employment numbers, details on water supply and septic servicing, confirmation from Hydro One on power grid impacts, and information on noise, vibration, and ventilation.

Water usage had emerged as a key pressure point during that meeting. Armour’s chief administrative officer, Dave Gray, acknowledged significant concerns nationally about data centres draining freshwater supplies, and said the property carries a hard cap of 10,000 litres per day.

“He’s going to need to prove in his studies that he is going to be able to be under that amount,” Gray said.

Employment numbers also drew discussion. Coun. Wendy Whitwell said the township had always hoped the industrial park would deliver strong local jobs.

“I’m not sure this proposal is going to give us that,” Whitwell said. “It’s going to give us two or three, possibly four local jobs.”

Gray said the land currently sits empty and that four to five well-paying positions were worth considering. Coun. Dorothy Haggart-Davis advocated for a welcoming approach, cautioning against asking a developer to spend money on studies before knowing whether the township would sell.

“I wouldn’t invest in your land because you might consider selling it to me one day,” she said.

Armour Mayor Rod Ward, who disclosed a background in data centres, moved to distinguish the proposal from the township’s recent battery storage controversy.

See: Armour drops legal fight against proposed battery storage site, mayor cites tax hike risk

“This is nothing like a BESS,” Ward said. “The goal of data centres is to stay up and protect the equipment that’s in them.”

Sarah Cooke is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering the Almaguin Highlands for the Almaguin News. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.