Daily Digest — March 27, 2026
Google to Break Ground on Botetourt County Data Center Campus
Google has officially confirmed plans to develop a data center campus in Botetourt County, Virginia, with groundbreaking expected in the coming months, according to Cardinal News. The company acquired 312 acres at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield industrial park for $14 million in June 2025. The campus will include three data center buildings of approximately 300,000 square feet each, along with substations and an office building, with construction estimated at 18 to 24 months per phase.
As reported by WSET and WDBJ7, Google has committed to:
- Covering 100% of power and water infrastructure costs
- Purchasing power from the Rocky Forge wind farm in Botetourt County, though this will not fully cover the facility's energy needs
- Providing $4 million for county initiatives over five years
- Funding a long-range water supply study with the Western Virginia Water Authority
County officials project at least $10 million annually in local tax revenue from each of the three planned data centers. The industrial park's zoning was modified in November to permit data centers, and according to WDBJ7, it is the only area in the county zoned for data center use.
The Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance has raised concerns about water usage, electricity costs, and environmental impacts, as reported by Cardinal News. Initial estimates from a county-water authority agreement projected up to eight million gallons of water per day, though the Board of Supervisors chairman characterized that level of usage as a low-probability scenario. The Army Corps of Engineers has sought public comment on potential environmental impacts including deforestation and wetland disruption.
Google says it will break ground on Botetourt data center campus in coming months
Cardinal News
Google announced plans to develop data center campus in Botetourt County
WSET
Google Data Center Moving Forward in Botetourt County
WDBJ7
Google confirms development plans for Botetourt County data center campus
WDBJ7
Google confirms development of Botetourt County data center campus
WDBJ7
Rowan County Residents Demand Transparency on Suspected Data Center Project
Residents of Rowan County, North Carolina, are pressing local officials for information about a 400-acre site they suspect is slated for data center development, according to WCNC. Over 3,000 people have signed a petition demanding transparency. Property records show the site is owned by EDC Charlotte LLC, whose manager is also the chief financial officer of Edged, a data center development company.
As reported by Queen City News, county leaders have denied making any deal with the property owner and state that no further Board of Commissioners approvals are required for the current use of the property. The county says the site went through an extensive review process beginning in 2021, including six properly noticed zoning public hearings.
Residents report that their requests for a moratorium have been dismissed by county leadership. This stands in contrast to other North Carolina communities — WCNC notes that Boone has proactively adopted a moratorium to consider data center regulations. Organized residents plan to attend the county commissioners meeting on April 20 to voice concerns.
Rowan County residents demand transparency from officials over suspected data center project
WCNC
Data center could be coming to Rowan County
WCNC
Rowan County neighbors want leaders to be transparent over potential data center property
Queen City News
Thousands oppose potential data center. But Rowan County leaders deny making deal with the company that owns the land
Queen City News
NC residents demand transparency from officials over suspected data center project
WCNC
Tulsa City Council Unanimously Approves Data Center Moratorium
The Tulsa City Council voted unanimously to approve a moratorium on new data center approvals, according to News On 6. The pause will give the Tulsa Planning Office time to review and update zoning standards for data centers.
Key details reported by KTUL and KRMG:
- The moratorium runs through December 31, 2026, after District 4 Councilor Laura Bellis initially proposed a one-year pause and compromised to nine months
- The current zoning code classifies data centers under a low-impact industrial designation, which critics argue does not reflect their actual impact
- The Planning Office will provide updates to councilors every 60 days
- Nineteen speakers supported the moratorium during public comment
The moratorium does not affect ongoing construction of Project Clydesdale in north Tulsa or the first two phases of Project Anthem in east Tulsa. The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission is scheduled to make a decision on Project Anthem's second phase on April 1. Mayor Monroe Nichols is expected to review the measure before a final signing decision. The broader Green Country area has seen protests and lawsuits against data center projects in Sand Springs, Coweta, and Claremore.
St. Louis Weighs Data Center Zoning Rules After Moratorium Fails
St. Louis officials are navigating data center regulation after a proposed moratorium on new development failed to pass the Board of Aldermen, according to the St. Louis American. City planners are now considering interim zoning rules to limit where data centers can be built and require conditional use permits.
One confirmed project within city limits — the Armory Innovation District in midtown — involves converting a historic Armory building into office space and constructing a 120-megawatt data center at an adjacent former warehouse. As reported by the Labor Tribune, the $3 billion project is expected to create over 1,000 union construction jobs and generate more than $200 million for the city and schools over a decade. A conditional use hearing has been scheduled, and the Board of Adjustment will vote on the permit.
Residents have raised concerns about potential electricity rate increases — Ameren Missouri's CEO confirmed multiple large data centers are planning to locate in the area, and a company manager stated all customers would contribute to grid expansion costs. Environmental groups and some aldermen continue to push for stronger regulatory guardrails. City planners are refining proposed rules based on public feedback, with review expected by the Planning Commission and the Board of Aldermen.
Meta Increases El Paso Data Center Investment to $10 Billion; Congresswoman Seeks Public Engagement
Meta has increased its investment in an El Paso, Texas AI data center from $1.5 billion to $10 billion, according to CNBC. The facility targets 1-gigawatt capacity by its projected 2028 opening and is expected to create 300 permanent jobs, with over 4,000 construction workers at peak building phases. Meta's VP of data center development, Gary Demasi, announced the increased commitment at the annual Borderplex Alliance summit.
Meta outlined several environmental commitments, as reported by The Indian Express and Indiatimes:
- Over 5,000 megawatts of clean energy projects under contract for the Texas grid
- A liquid-cooled, closed-loop system projecting water usage comparable to a typical golf course
- Water restoration partnerships with nonprofits, including providing fresh water to over 100 homes in Texas
- A pledge to restore 200% of water consumption to local watersheds
Separately, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) has urged Meta to conduct public listening sessions, according to KTSM. In a letter to the company, Escobar raised constituent concerns about water resource impacts, potential electricity rate increases, and the nature of permanent jobs. She also noted that despite Meta's public pledges on renewable energy, the company reportedly indicated its renewable projects are located outside El Paso and that local energy needs would be met by gas-powered turbines.
The City of El Paso has begun community meetings to develop a policy framework for regulating future data centers, aligning with its broader Climate Action Plan.
Escobar calls on Meta for transparency, answers on new data center impacts
KTSM 9 News
Meta boosts investment in West Texas AI data center by over sixfold to $10 billion
CNBC
Meta boosts Texas AI data center investment to $10 billion
The Indian Express
Meta boosts Texas AI data centre investment to $10 billion
Indiatimes
Meta expands El Paso data center, jobs, water projects
KTSM 9 NEWS