Virginia’s First Hears Opposition to Data Centers

By DAVID QUESENBERRY

Patriot Publishing 

At a special meeting held on Monday, August 3^rd, the Board members of the Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority again heard citizen opposition to data centers being located in the Commerce Park in Pulaski County.

From the comments made to the Authority Board, it appears that opposition to data centers remains strong and steadfast, based on concerns over the environment, natural resource depletion, potential harm to citizens and the priorities of local officials.

Pete Phillips of Dublin said regarding data centers, he did not see elected officials putting regulations in place to guarantee that the citizens would be protected.

“If we cared about that (regulations) in Pulaski County; we cared about the people of Pulaski County, we would already have those regulations in place so other data centers could come.”

With no regulations in place Phillips said it was unknown if the centers would increase prices for utilities such as electricity or water. He was concerned that “affordability in this county is going to be we can’t even live in the County we grew up in.”

In questioning the benefits of the centers, Phillips suggested that any revenues recognized be designated for a purpose to make the county better.

Tim Vela of Pulaski told the Board that an online petition opposing the data center had about 1,500 signatures which, he said, “speaks to the potential of a data center coming here that people don’t want it.” Looking at the research on data centers across the country, Vela noted, “You see a lot of negatives and very little positives, even with tax revenue.”

Counties that have had the centers for years, he said have very little tax revenue coming back to them. Those that do get revenue he added, such as Loudon County, are actually getting it from the large number of centers that they have.

“What we are asking from you,” he added “is to reconsider even the potential of a data center coming and look for businesses to come into Virginia’s First that are eco-friendly, that work well with the community, and that work well with the people.”

Sandra Steele from Dublin told the Board she had specific questions for them realizing that there may not be a contract of interest and that there was information at the present time that was unknown or could not be made public.

Steele began her questions asking if consideration had been given to residents living in subdivisions using wells.

Had the aging water lines in Dublin been considered? What are buffers in the Commerce Park and what is their purpose?

Data centers have been projected to increase population in the New River Valley. Is there a long-term plan since building new homes has been at a standstill?

There is an adult daycare center and a nursing home in Dublin. Has thought been given to these people regarding noise, health, and their ability to sleep, work and live?

Has consideration been given to pets, livestock and animals?

Mentioning her pet’s reaction to noise from storms, Steele said these noises were temporary, noise from data centers are not.

Concerning the quality of data centers, Steele asked if the best quality could be had without cutting corners. Could they be approved with the most thoughtful and responsible use of the environment, the well-being of the community and its residents, along with our other precious resources? Was recirculation of water from data centers being considered?

“All of you,” she said, “have a lot to consider that can change our community for the future, positively or negatively. Don’t let this just be about money. It needs to be about people who have lived here, paid taxes and invested in the community. They deserve at the very least to be openly included and informed with respect.”

Debra Berg of Draper said she had been attending the Pulaski County  Supervisors meetings. Recent public comments were made about data centers coming to Pulaski, even though Board Chairman Laura Walters and County Administrator Jonathan Sweet denied that the county was getting a data center.

In one meeting in particular, Berg noted Walters said we didn’t have a data center. “But you could almost hear under her breath, the word yet” Berg said.

Berg continued, telling the Board that at the March 3^rd supervisors meeting, Betsy Mabry, a Pulaski County resident addressing the Board, said that in January 2025 the Virginia General Assembly allocated $3 billion for the construction of a data center and power plant in Pulaski County. Berg said this was confirmed in a television interview with Sweet who said that a data center had already been approved as “Project Goose” and “Project Poseidon.” She continued that Sweet later recanted, calling it a “hypothetical pursuit” and that the Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority “pursuit (of) a data center would potentially be located in Pulaski County by way of the regional Commerce Park.”

Berg added that Sweet, in his comments said he wanted to make sure that for the media and for the citizen’s information, “that there has been no project announced in Pulaski County with respect to data centers. But we can say that the Virginia’s First Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, comprised of eleven jurisdictions, is pursuing projects to include data centers.”

Berg emphasized “data centers, not one but more.” The centers were to be located in the regional industrial park as a point of further clarification by Sweet.

In concluding her presentation, Berg said, “We the people and citizens of Pulaski County do not want a data center.”

Graham Claytor of Ingles District, Pulaski County told the Board the “county Board of Supervisors do not trust the citizens.”

“So why should we trust you,” he asked. “I am really tired of the way that this whole thing has been approached. You’re just not trusting the citizens to look out for what’s best for all of us. I am just upset about that.”

In other business, the Board considered a proposal from Dirk Compton, Vice–Chairman of the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors, that community meetings be held to provide information to the public about data centers in general.

Following discussion, the Board authorized Mike Solomon, Executive Director of the Authority, to facilitate the meetings.

The next scheduled meeting of the Virginia’s First Board is tentatively scheduled at 12 noon, Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at the Pulaski County Innovation Center, 6580 Valley Center Drive, in Fairlawn, Virginia.