Polycrete/Exafort presentation draws sharp public concerns over noise, particulates and community engagement

The Charles City County Economic Development Authority heard a presentation from Bryant J. Wheeler, Executive Vice President of Polycrete USA, and Bruce Anderson of Exafort on a monolithic concrete building system intended for data centers. Presenters described a single-shell concrete envelope they said reduces construction time, improves durability and sound control, and can be produced using an on-site organic concrete mix that incorporates rice hulls.

Bruce Anderson said the system can reduce truck trips by delivering about 5,120 square feet of wall material on a single 48-foot flatbed, compared with multiple tilt-up panel loads. "The formwork is manufactured in the factory, and we produce a kit that is delivered to the site," Wheeler explained in response to a board question about precast versus cast-on-site panels.

Public commenters questioned risks they said were not addressed by the presentation. Pat Davis and other residents asked whether expanded polystyrene used in some Polycrete products would be manufactured on-site or brought in pre-made and warned about microplastics and styrene exposure. Davis stated, "When polystyrene is molded, cut, or trimmed, it can release microplastics," and asked for estimates of particulate emissions and controls to prevent contamination of homes, farmland and waterways.

Brandy Murano, speaking for Charles City Citizens First, urged clearer information about noise and decommissioning, saying external noise sources such as gas turbines and generators are the primary community concern. "Employees inside may use ear protection, but residents in the community are the ones who must live with the ongoing noise," Murano said.

Company representatives answered several technical questions: Wheeler confirmed water for concrete could be trucked or sourced from an on-site well and said roof insulation depends on engineering requirements; Anderson said the system offers wind resistance up to 250 mph. Presenters did not directly answer requests for independent particulate emission estimates, nor did they provide documentation in the session that addresses on-site polystyrene manufacturing safeguards.

The board did not take action on the presentation. Chair Arnold Brown told the public that only the EDA board could ask questions during the presentation and that the audience would have an opportunity during public comment. Several speakers, including Tracy Floyd, noted that formal land-use approvals would rest with the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, not the EDA.

Next steps: the EDA recorded the presentation in its packet and moved on to public comment; community members requested more specifics on emissions, materials sourcing, emergency response capacity, and clearer identification of the corporate entities involved before any local decisions are considered.