Applicant: Data center campus would generate $237M for county

Equus Capital Partners Ltd. has submitted a rezoning application to Frederick County, Virginia, for its proposed Virginia Technology Park, a 220.06-acre data center campus in Clear Brook. The project, which would feature 10 data center buildings and three substation pads, is projected to contribute $237 million in tax revenue to the county over two decades, according to a financial impact report by McGuireWoods Consulting. Senior Vice President Daniel M. DiLella Jr. of Equus Capital Partners addressed common concerns about data centers, stating that the project's design includes noise attenuation measures like low-emission fans and an acoustic perimeter. For water usage, the company plans to employ air-cooled/closed-loop systems, estimating 200,000 to 300,000 gallons per day for the entire complex, sourced solely from Frederick Water, with no groundwater use. DiLella also noted that diesel generators would be used only for emergencies or testing. The Department of Energy recently allowed data centers in the PJM Interconnection region to use diesel generators during acute emergencies. Residents of the neighboring Ridgeway Estates subdivision have previously opposed the nearby Woodside electrical substation, to be built by NextEra Energy, citing health and property value concerns. Previous attempts to rezone the parcels for a mixed-use development were unsuccessful, with the Board of Supervisors rejecting a similar proposal in 2024. Equus Capital Partners has offered to implement an eight-foot berm and a 65-dBA sound limit bordering residential properties. The company has also proffered to establish a $200,000 endowment for Laurel Ridge Community College's Cloud Infrastructure Program to support local workforce development. The project's development timeline is estimated at two to three years, pending county approval.