Residents pack board meeting demanding answers on data center development proposals

Hundreds of Franklin County residents packed a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday night, demanding greater transparency over potential zoning changes and what they say could pave the way for a proposed data center development. The meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd, with many attendees voicing frustration over what they described as a lack of openness from county leaders. "We do not want a data center in this county. Do you understand? Do you understand? Look at me," one resident told the board during public comment. Residents said their concerns intensified after obtaining documents and emails through Freedom of Information Act requests that they believe point to plans for a data center project. Several speakers said county officials had previously indicated no such project was being considered. Read more: https://wset.com/news/local/project-flash-sparks-outrage-as-franklin-county-virginia-residents-demand-answers-data-center-july-2026 _______________ Follow WSET on social media: WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABC13News WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ABC13News WSET-TV ABC News 13 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abc13_wset/?hl=en WSET-TV ABC News 13 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/Abc-13-wset Subscribe to WSET-TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wsetabc1373/featured Watch more top local news stories: https://wset.com/news/local For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit http://www.wset.com/ Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://wset.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: newsdesk@wset.com Call the Newsroom: 431.455.5131 WSET is a VA based station and an ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates #wset #wsettv #wsetabcnews13 #lynchburgnews #breakingnews #lynchburg #trending #localnews #news #datacenter #datacenters #ai #artificialintelligence