Botetourt officials decline interviews as protests target Google data center plan
Residents and activists from across Virginia are protesting Google’s planned 312-acre data center campus in Botetourt County, known as Project Raspberry. They are demanding answers about energy and water consumption, safety, property values and the decision-making process, while land grading for the first of three buildings has begun.
Construction activity has started on Google’s planned Project Raspberry campus in Botetourt County, where three data centers are expected to be built on a 312-acre site. Google says the project could generate more than 1,000 construction jobs and that comparable facilities employ about 400 full-time workers with median pay of roughly $100,000 annually.
Residents and activists protesting from Roanoke to Richmond say they are not opposed to technology or artificial intelligence generally, but believe the project is advancing too quickly without adequate public information. Their concerns include electricity and water consumption, safety, and potential effects on property values. Protesters are calling for a moratorium and greater transparency, while Botetourt County Administrator Gary Lareau, Economic Development Director Kyle Rosner and members of the Board of Supervisors declined or were unavailable for interviews.