Wytheville data center boom draws resident pushback over land, water, and electric rates
Two large data center campuses are planned for Wythe County, Virginia. While county officials anticipate significant tax revenue, residents are concerned about the impact on farmland, water usage, and electricity rates. A public input session on draft zoning laws is scheduled before a final vote by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors.
Two extensive data center campuses are slated for development in Wythe County, Virginia, including a billion-dollar AI computing campus at Progress Park and a second, larger proposal by TAC Data Centers near the Pulaski County line, covering a thousand acres of farmland.
Wythe County officials are anticipating tens of millions in annual tax revenue from these projects, intended to fund rural infrastructure and schools without increasing residential property taxes. However, residents are vocally opposing the developments, citing concerns over the destruction of farmland, excessive water consumption, and potential spikes in electricity rates.
Andy Kegley, a retired Wythe County Board of Supervisors member and local farmer, expressed alarm over the scope, highlighting the county's lack of local zoning laws as a significant vulnerability for future developments. Governor Abigail Spanberger issued an order directing data centers to cover the full cost of required transmission infrastructure, a move welcomed by Kegley as a step towards equitable cost sharing.
Residents are also demanding greater transparency, with Kegley noting a loss of public trust due to closed-session meetings and non-disclosure agreements. The Wythe County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a final public input session on September 3 regarding draft zoning laws before proceeding to a final vote.