Franklin County Residents Concerned About Possible Data Center
Residents in Franklin County, Virginia, are concerned about a potential data center development, code-named "Project Flash." A local resident uncovered information about county conversations with a data center developer through Freedom of Information Act requests. The county is also undertaking a zoning ordinance rewrite, which is a point of concern for residents regarding such projects.
Franklin County, Virginia, residents are expressing concern over a potential data center project, internally referred to as "Project Flash," which could be developed in a local business park. The broader context highlights Virginia's status as a leading state for data center development, with nearly 700 current and planned facilities, many concentrated in Northern Virginia, according to the Pew Research Center.
A local resident, Laura Carter, initiated a "one-woman crusade" to investigate the county's plans after becoming concerned about a proposed zoning ordinance rewrite. Through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for county supervisor emails, Carter discovered references to "Project Flash" and learned that Franklin County officials have been in conversations with a company that builds data centers. While the county cannot yet confirm specific plans, the discovery has fueled residents' apprehension about the project's potential impact on their community.