VA State Senator Who Authored $15 Min Wage Bill Slams Data Centers for Paying Workers Too Much
Virginia State Senator L. Louise Lucas expressed concern that data centers are consuming the labor force by offering high wages, making it difficult to find workers for residential construction. She questioned how to address this issue and ensure a labor force for housing projects once data center construction is complete.
Virginia State Senator L. Louise Lucas recently voiced concerns regarding the data center industry's impact on the state's labor force. During a discussion, Senator Lucas questioned the availability of workers for other critical construction fields, particularly residential housing.
She highlighted that data centers are reportedly "swallowing up all of the labor force" by offering annual salaries ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 for construction roles. This wage disparity, she suggested, is making it difficult to find employees for residential construction sites.
Senator Lucas expressed a specific concern about the long-term implications, wondering where the labor force for housing would come from once data center construction projects in Virginia are completed and move to other locations. She sought direction on whom to address this critical workforce issue.