The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the contentious project after a record-breaking 28-hour meeting that began at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, and wrapped up just after 1 p.m. today, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.
The rezoning vote clears the way for two companies, QTS and Compass Datacenters, Inc., to build the nearly 100-foot tall buildings on what has been billed as the world’s most significant data center complex on nearly 900 acres next to the battlefield, a tourist magnet, the site of the first major Civil War battle in 1861.
Once developed, Prince William County will eclipse neighboring Loudoun, which, for years, had been data king, boasting the most server farms on the planet.
Conservationists opposed the proposal citing water concerns and the strain on the east coast’s electrical grid. Supporters of the plan say the new centers would provide a revenue windfall for the county, as much as $460 million to pay police, firefighters, and teachers.
Four Democrats, Ann Wheeler (At-large), Margaret Franklin (Woodbridge), Victor Angry (Neabsco), and Andrea Bailey (Potomac), voted to approve the project. Republicans Yesli Vega (Coles), Jeanine Lawson (Brentsville), and Bob Wier (Gainesville) voted against the measure. Democrat Kenny Boddye (Occoquan) abstained from the vote after his substitution motion to approve two of the three data center complexes (the two furthest from the national park border) failed.
“If they’re not built here, they’re going to be built somewhere else in Virginia, and they’re going to be on the PJM [power] grid. They’re not going anywhere,” said Wheeler. “And these 30 groups that oppose them are all conservation groups that oppose all development. That’s what they do.”
Bailey and Angry approved the projects in the community’s best interest. “I did not ‘sell out.’ That’s not what happened here,” said Bailey.
In October, the supervisors decided to spend as much as $400 million to establish a climate mitigation plan, vowing to cut the county government’s greenhouse emissions to half of what they were in 2005 by 2035.
“The way supervisors affect climate change is with their land-use votes,” said Vega, who opposed the project.
The centers will use large amounts of water and electricity to power the servers inside the buildings, which will sit along Pageland Lane. Multiple homeowners banded together to sell their homes to the data center firms in exchange for large payouts, sums that many who attended the public meeting did not want to discuss.
“It’ll be a public record when the sales go through,” one woman told Potomac Local News.
Supervisors have been debating the project since 2021. Last year, the board approved a comprehensive plan amendment clearing the way data centers next to the battlefield.
“Compass Datacenters is grateful that the Board of County Supervisors has approved its rezoning application, affirming its alignment with the County’s 2022 plan for data center development,” stated a corporate spokesman in a statement emailed to Potomac Local News following the vote. “We thank the Board of County Supervisors, hundreds of project supporters and community members for their thoughtful feedback at this meeting and over the past year. We are committed to being a good neighbor in Prince William County and continuing a dialogue with all of our stakeholders as this project moves forward.”
Next to the property owners who agreed to sell their homes, the most vocal supporters have been labor unions who stand to benefit from the construction of the new centers and the expansion of government services spurred by additional tax revenues from the data centers.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has donated $130,000 to the five Democrats who make up the board majority in 2023. Since taking office in 2020, that majority has never voted against a data center rezoning.
IBEW gave $49,000 to Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye, his highest donor.
Four of the five were re-elected to a new four-year term in November 2023. Ann Wheeler, chair-at-large, finishes her term at the end of the month after losing a primary election bid to Deshundra Jefferson, who campaigned on reigning in data center development near homes.
Several Democrats in the state legislature have been watching the Board of County Supervisors’ actions and say they will introduce legislation in the January 2024 General Assembly to govern how and where the massive data farms are approved.
Gov. Glenn Younkin has been bullish on data centers, announcing a $35 billion investment from Amazon to build data centers across the state earlier this year.
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With the swearing-in of Donald Trump as America’s 47th President on Monday, considering the new administration, we called some of the Fredericksburg area’s elected representatives to ask about their visions for 2025.
Senator Mark Warner (D) said:
“I’ve been proud to be a member of many bipartisan gangs during my time in the Senate. In fact, it’s through bipartisan work that we managed to tackle COVID-19, fund our national parks, bring back American manufacturing, fuel investment in underserved communities, and so much more. It’s my priority to ensure that this bipartisan work continues – even under a Trump administration. As we dive deeper into the 119th Congress, I’m looking forward to defending and building on the progress we made under President Biden. To do that, I’ll continue to work with anyone who has a good idea, regardless of party affiliation.”
This winter, the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is rockin’ with the sounds of Elvis Presley as the high-energy bio-musical Heartbreak Hotel takes the stage.
Created by the visionary behind the Tony Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet, the production delves into the life of the King of Rock and Roll, exploring his rise to stardom and the challenges that shaped his iconic legacy.
Featuring over 40 of Elvis’ greatest hits, including “That’s All Right,” “Hound Dog,” “Burning Love,” and “Jailhouse Rock,” the show blends electrifying performances with storytelling that gives audiences a closer look at the man behind the music. Heartbreak Hotel presents Elvis at pivotal moments in his life, guided by his younger self, in a journey that reveals the struggles and triumphs that made him a legend.
Featuring over 40 of Elvis’ greatest hits, including “That’s All Right,” “Hound Dog,” “Burning Love,” and “Jailhouse Rock,” the show blends electrifying performances with storytelling that gives audiences a closer look at the man behind the music. Heartbreak Hotel presents Elvis at pivotal moments in his life, guided by his younger self, in a journey that reveals the struggles and triumphs that made him a legend.
In a recent interview, Elliot Litherland, who portrays the older Elvis Presley, and Luke Purcell, playing teen Elvis, opened up about their unique experiences bringing the King of Rock and Roll to life on the Riverside Center stage.
Created by the visionary behind the Tony Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet, the production delves into the life of the King of Rock and Roll, exploring his rise to stardom and the challenges that shaped his iconic legacy.
Featuring over 40 of Elvis’ greatest hits, including “That’s All Right,” “Hound Dog,” “Burning Love,” and “Jailhouse Rock,” the show blends electrifying performances with storytelling that gives audiences a closer look at the man behind the music. Heartbreak Hotel presents Elvis at pivotal moments in his life, guided by his younger self, in a journey that reveals the struggles and triumphs that made him a legend.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will convene on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. at 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge for a packed agenda that includes major decisions on land development and state legislation. The meeting is open to the public.
Woodbridge Land Development
Supervisors are expected to approve $250,000 to hire consultants to determine the best use for 21.85 acres of land in Woodbridge, previously considered for an indoor sports and recreation center. The funding, drawn from the Economic Development Opportunity Fund, will support planning for a vibrant mixed-use community hub. The land is part of a larger 70-acre property targeted for an indoor sports venue, focusing on creating live-work-play environments and generating tax revenue.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the County Government Center at 1300 Courthouse Road. One of the key items on the agenda is a proposal to bring a new outpatient behavioral therapy clinic to the Griffis-Widewater District.
Renaissance Healthcare Group Virginia, LLC has applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP24155647) to operate a hospital use within the B-2 Urban Commercial Zoning District at 125 Woodstream Blvd, Suite 401. If approved, the clinic will provide adult behavioral therapy and counseling services, with operations limited to 5,050 square feet and open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The staff has recommended approval of the proposal, stating that it aligns with the county’s Comprehensive Plan, which supports commercial development in suburban areas. Additionally, the clinic’s location and intended use are consistent with the existing development pattern along Garrisonville Road.
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
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