Hampton Roads taking steps to prepare for data centers

Leaders from cities and counties across the Hampton Roads region of Virginia met at a Hampton Roads Planning District Commission meeting to discuss a coordinated approach to data center development. City managers from Portsmouth and Hampton, Steven Carter and Mary Bunting, respectively, emphasized the need to proactively update local zoning ordinances to guide where data centers can be sited and to protect localities from unanticipated issues. The discussion highlighted varying stances among localities: Virginia Beach City Manager Patrick Duhaney expressed disinterest due to land usage and limited job creation, while Suffolk and Isle of Wight are more open to possibilities given greater land availability. The group acknowledged significant resident concerns, referencing a recently rejected data center proposal in Chesapeake following community pushback over environmental impacts to air quality and groundwater. Chesapeake City Manager Chris Price noted that the city is now considering zoning and policy changes to establish "guardrails" for future proposals without deterring development. Isle of Wight County administrator Don Robertson advocated for a collective regional effort, suggesting a collaborative approach where localities pool resources. Price expressed interest in continuing this conversation to map "opportunity sites" for data centers, ensuring the region is not perceived as hostile to technology partners, while also recognizing the benefits of supporting manufacturing projects related to data center needs.