Data Center protesters sound off at the courthouse
About 20 protesters gathered outside the Carroll County Courthouse in Hillsville to oppose data center development in the area. Speakers cited concerns about water and electricity use, farmland, limited job creation and the potential impact on Carroll County’s rural economy and scenic landscape.
Roughly 20 people demonstrated outside the historic Carroll County Courthouse in Hillsville against data center development. Organized by the Carroll County Democratic Committee, the event was described by organizers as nonpartisan, though Democratic congressional candidate Joy Powers attended and addressed the crowd. Protesters carried signs opposing data centers and citing concerns about water, electricity, farmland and rural character.
Organizer Janet Blanding said data centers would use substantial resources while creating relatively few jobs and could harm tourism and agriculture. Malcomb Colvard, chairman of the Carroll County Democratic Committee, connected opposition to the broader artificial intelligence boom, while attendees including Georgette Lasorso and Janet Evans argued that Virginia already hosts enough data centers and should pursue other forms of economic development.