Grayson County man pays nearly $2,600 in records request fight over data center project
A Grayson County man paid nearly $2,600 in a public records request fight to uncover details about a planned large-scale data center project. The project is located in the Carroll County area of Virginia, which currently lacks countywide zoning ordinances. The man, Scott Wagner, sought transparency after a project known as "Project Lightning" appeared on, and then disappeared from, public meeting agendas.
A man from Grayson County, Virginia, Scott Wagner, has spent nearly $2,600 on public records requests to gain information about a planned large-scale data center project. Wagner, a long-time resident and local business owner, expressed his desire for transparency regarding developments affecting his community.
The data center is slated for the Wildwood Commerce Park in the Carroll County area of southwest Virginia, a location notable for its lack of countywide zoning ordinances. The project, initially referred to as "Project Lightning," briefly appeared on a meeting agenda before its details seemingly went behind closed doors, prompting Wagner's investigation.
The Wildwood Commerce Park, over 200 acres of industrial space near Interstate 77, was acquired by the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority in 2011. This authority is a collaborative agreement between Carroll County, Grayson County, and the City of Galax, aiming to attract new business to the region.
Wagner's efforts to obtain information about Project Lightning highlight concerns about public access to information regarding significant industrial developments in areas with minimal regulatory oversight.