BOTETOURT CO., Va. – Google has officially announced its data center project in Botetourt County, prompting strong reactions from residents and local leaders alike.
The tech giant has purchased land at Greenfield for a new data center campus, allowing county officials to speak openly after previously being limited by a non-disclosure agreement.
County Administrator Gary Larowe called the announcement a major milestone.
“Now it’s no longer a proposed data center campus—Google is planning to move forward with the creation of a data center campus here,” Larowe said.
Larowe emphasized the potential benefits, saying the project could bring significant investment to the region.
“This is how you build schools, this is how you end up paying for those large item projects,” he said.
But some residents remain opposed. Chloe Johnson, a member of the Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance, said opposition is only growing.
“There should not be a data center, a hyperscale data center in our region of the Blue Ridge Mountains at all. That’s what I believe,” she said.
Johnson added that the group’s efforts to push for transparency have only intensified. “I don’t think it’s discouraged, anyone. I think we are more motivated to get the truth out there, to be vocal.”
The project has highlighted a split among community members.
In a Facebook comment, Jennifer Parke Slater, a local resident, criticized the Board of Supervisors, saying,
“Something that affects our community to this extent should be put to the vote of the citizens! The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors is betraying the people they were elected to represent.”
Others see the project as a potential economic boost.
Also in a Facebook comment, Eric Larson, who works in data centers, said, “I’m excited to see the money make a positive impact in Botetourt.”
As construction moves forward, both supporters and opponents say they will continue making their voices heard.