Stafford County data center project paused over grave site concerns
A proposed data center project in Stafford County, Virginia, has been paused because it is planned for a centuries-old grave site, including unmarked graves of enslaved people. The Board of Supervisors has mandated a full archaeological study before further action. Community members are expressing strong opposition to the development.
A proposed data center development in Stafford County, Virginia, has been put on hold after it was revealed the project site is located on a centuries-old burial ground. The cemetery contains both marked and unmarked graves, with the unmarked graves believed to belong to enslaved people dating back to the 1700s. The site is still visited by descendants and community members paying respects.
Local residents expressed significant upset at a recent meeting of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, voicing strong opposition to building a data center on such a historically sensitive location.
In response to public outcry, the Board of Supervisors decided to request that the developer conduct a comprehensive archaeological study. This study aims to precisely identify the location of each burial. Discussions also included the possibilities of either preserving the burial grounds in their current state or relocating them. The Board anticipates revisiting the issue later this summer and in the fall after the study is completed.