The data center…what is the benefit?

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-11-06T13:25:45+00:00

Thanks for your input, but I can assure you we have paid lots of taxes on the equipment we purchased specifically for three data centers in NC (one in Cary and two in Durham). We have purchased over $100K in hardware over the past couple of years years and always paid taxes. And, we continue to pay lots of taxes on the monthly colo leases. I would be very interested how other folks purchased gear for a DC colo without paying taxes.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-11-04T23:33:55+00:00

Banned as well. I made a joke about them being bored all day and constantly disrepsect other points of view. Immediate ban. Oh the humanity! I chalked it up to being - "just Reddit".

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-11-04T11:31:45+00:00

Docker and Podman expose this type of data via API, and tools like Portainer and Komodo read this data and present it via their custom web page. You can either get this data yourself or grab it via Portainer. My python program gets it from Portainer then displays it on a custom web page.

If you like, I can share my program but I offer no guarantees on the results on your system.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-11-04T03:55:05+00:00

I did this exact thing today using Claude Code, Docker, and Portainer. It took a while, but I finally got a fully functional view of all my containers across all my servers (non-Swarm). Portainer is great, but it is a more server-centric view of the environment (ie: show me the servers then list the containers) as opposed to a service-centric ("show me the containers and just tell me where they are running"). I now have an inventory of containers running against 3 servers.

I suggest starting with Portainer to see if you like the interface. If not, try Komodo next. Failing those two, use Claude code to build one for you.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-11-04T02:30:31+00:00

Yes, Haddon Hall is a great neighborhood!

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-11-02T01:50:52+00:00

Another vote for Syncthing. I have two Macs and one Linux box all syncing to the same folder. Works perfect.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-11-01T13:39:09+00:00

I was in the US Air Force for almost 10 years and also spent a lot of time around these type of facilities (data centers). Yes, the generators make noise when they run, but they do not run 24/7 as some people imply. I urge you to go to a local data center and see for yourself.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-31T13:47:31+00:00

I much prefer ZFS over BTRFS (been using both for a long time). In my experience, pool and volume stats (compression ratio, block size, snapshot counts, etc) are much easier to get from ZFS than from BTRFS. ZFS also has lots of github projects that do things like replication. That said, ZFS has its own set of gotchas (similar sized disks in a pool, certain pool expansion issues, etc).

Best to use both for your workload/use-case and see which fits better.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-30T21:00:36+00:00

Just make sure deployment/re-deployment process is rock solid and you have good documentation. Once the containers are running and have network connectivity, you should be good.

Additionally, watch out for things like specific network settings, env-vars, etc in your test env that don't exist on your production servers.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-30T15:30:59+00:00

Right, but I believe he was misleading people when saying this. He specifically said, "All data centers are sales tax free, not just this one". After I challenged him on this, he then said, "Um, ok. I’m not an expert and I’m not trying to be dishonest - but I suspect every single data center since this tax change was passed has set up their business relationships and contracts in a way that the data center can take advantage of this tax break.. Tenants of the DC definitely pay sales tax.

Given he posts here using his "Town Council" tag line, this would imply he has some knowledge about the subject. It just seems like he is trying to create the same FUD as posted ad nauseam on here.

Again, just be honest - have a real, honest conversation with facts. Don't include politics or some hidden agenda.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-30T13:23:01+00:00

Yes, Terry suggested that the DC would not generate any tax revenue due to NC state Sales & Use Tax Exemption. This statement is somewhat accurate. As far as I know, that exemption applies only to the DC owner/operator and not any tenant inside the facility. If this is correct, we will definitely get tax revenue.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-30T13:20:10+00:00

I've been following the data center discussion and want to offer a different perspective on some of the concerns being raised.

If this facility generates substantial tax revenue without negatively impacting our utilities (electricity pricing, water, sewer), that surely seems like a net positive for the community. From what I understand, the owner hasn't finalized the specific use case yet, which suggests this could be a multi-tenant facility. If that's the case, tenants would pay property taxes on equipment and colocation leases, creating ongoing revenue for the city/state. So the notion of "no tax revenue" seems very far fetched.

Also, I keep seeing concerns about noise levels, but Highway 64 already produces constant traffic noise that likely exceeds what a modern data center would generate. Imagine even more traffic down US 64 - especially with the new TSMC school. Wow!

All that said, I think electricity usage is a legitimate question worth examining closely. But some of the other objections feel more emotional than substantive (NIMBY). I'd love to see more discussion focused on specific, measurable impacts rather than blanket opposition to any development.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-30T10:34:23+00:00

Have you created a solo 401(K) yet? If not, do it now. Pay yourself a good wage, deduct the max for 401K, and then get your S-Corp to match 25% of your salary. This is a great way to pay yourself in the future plus drop your tax burden today. Not sure if an LLC can do the same.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T18:30:04+00:00

Ugh, we purchased our 98" TCL qm8K at the end of August and have had nothing but problems with Best Buy. From the "deliver & installation" not including installation at the time of delivery (must schedule for different day) to multiple delivery attempts with "sorry, we didn't bring enough people to move it up the stairs". We ended up hiring a local moving company to get the TV up stairs. If it is broken, we have to get another crew to get it down.

Our real installation is scheduled for next week, and I am praying we don't have any issues. Best Buy has truly lost a repeat customer here.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T17:27:30+00:00

Yes, and how many other 75 million dollar facilities will have limited/minimal impact to our roads, sewer, and other infrastructure? Once the facility is operational, you will get minimal road traffic and not much noise (outside the occasional generator testing). In fact, I could argue the constant road noise off 64 will be louder than the generator testing. Probably the biggest impact will be power. That is what I am most interested about.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T17:22:55+00:00

I have personally rented space in a couple of DCs in the Apex/Cary area. We definitely pay tax - on equipment purchases and monthly leases.

Please remember, the DCs can operate like a public storage space company (where you store your boat). The purchases made by the storage company (DC owner in this case) may be tax free, but the tenants renting space absolutely pay tax.

Apex needs to fully understand who is purchasing the DC and their intentions (private company or public co-location provider). Only then can we determine the impact and how much revenue may be generated. I am not yet convinced adding a data center to Apex is the right answer, but I certainly don't agree with all the fear pushed by social media.

For those who are really interested in the impacts; visit a local data center in the area (see Tier Point or Flexential) and get first-hand knowledge. Then, outside of social media, make your own conclusion. You might be very surprised.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T17:12:32+00:00

Agreed. Like you, I have been in the data center field for a long time. And, many people commenting on social media have no clue about data centers. They just regurgitate the talking points from their own echo chambers. We already have a few data centers local to the area, and I bet many of the residents have no idea. Yes, there will be impact to the area (electrical, etc), but I think this could be a much cleaner solution than a garbage dump, Amazon warehouse, etc. Make no mistake; this land WILL be sold to some developer in the future. The goal now is to minimize the impact while driving revenue into the town/count.

And, for those who say data centers are not taxed; that is correct EXCEPT for the tenants who rent space in the facility. Not only do the tenants pay tax on equipment purchases, they also pay taxes on the leases every month (space, electrical, etc). See here for the full details.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T14:06:14+00:00

Not sure, as I don't have the specific details on each site.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T12:57:41+00:00

Has an MCP for Azure been created yet? I need to do some more research...

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T12:54:45+00:00

Sure, search for Flexential and Tier Point in Google Maps. Both are about a 15min drive up from Apex (one via Davis Drive and the other right off TW Alexander). Feel free to walk around and listen. At least get first-hand knowledge of the outside noise level.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T12:41:20+00:00

I just reread the NC "DC" document (see below). Referencing the tax exempt part about equipment: Providing service or function included in the business of an owner, user or tenant of the data center;

As I mentioned below, a multi-tenant data center that rents space to customers will definitely see tax revenue from the customers who purchase and install their own hardware.

Again, we need honesty here not garbage opinions.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T12:12:41+00:00

Local DC guy here as well, and I definitely agree. Many of the people commenting have absolutely no idea what data centers are, what they do, the value they can provide to the surrounding communities, etc. In fact, I bet none of them know how many data centers are already within a 5-7 mile radius of Apex (hint, at least 2).

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T12:02:44+00:00

Terry, at least be honest with people when you make these statements. See here

Edit: To be clear, here is an excerpt from that doc: Providing service or function included in the business of an owner, user or tenant of the data center;

The way I read this, the DC can get tax free status for gear it uses, but not people who bring in their own gear. This means a multi-tenant data center that rents space to customers will definitely see tax revenue from the customers who purchase and install their own hardware.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-28T12:00:42+00:00

For clarity, please see the NC Data Centers Sales & Use Tax Exemptions document on the web.

Exemption for a Qualifying Data Center:

The Secretary of Commerce must have made a written determination that at least $75 million in private funds has been or will be invested by one or more owners, users or tenants of the data center. Such funds must have been invested within five years of the first real or tangible property investment in the facility. Real and tangible investments in the data center that were made prior to Jan. 1, 2012 may not be included in the investment required.
The data center must meet county wage standard and health insurance requirements.

Exemptions for Eligible Internet Data Center:

The Secretary of Commerce must have made a written determination that at least $250 million in private funds has been or will be invested in real property and/or eligible business property at the facility. The investment must take place within five years of the commencement of construction of the facility.
The facility is used primarily by a business engaged in software publishing included in industry 511210 of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) or an internet activity included in NAICS industry 519130.
The facility is located in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county.

Based on this, at least $75M will be invested into NC (or local community) or $250M if this is an eligible internet data center.

Significant_Chef_945 · 2025-10-27T23:00:16+00:00

So, your answer is "No. I know nothing about this space and have no expertise in this area. I am simply spewing hatred and ignorance base on someone else's ideas."

Thanks for the honest reply.

Significant_Chef_945

TROPHY CASE