Virginia residents demand answers after FOIA records point to 'Project Flash' data center
Residents in Franklin County, Virginia, are demanding transparency from local officials regarding "Project Flash," a proposed data center development. They believe newly uncovered FOIA documents suggest decisions are being made without public input, fueling concerns about the project's impact on the rural community and local infrastructure.
Residents of Franklin County, Virginia, are engaged in a growing dispute with local officials over a proposed data center, codenamed "Project Flash." Through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, residents uncovered documents including emails, a letter of intent, and confidentiality agreements that reference the project and a potential site at Summit View Business Park.
According to residents like Laura Carter and Danae Crosby, these records suggest that decisions regarding zoning and the project's future may be progressing without adequate public involvement. They express concern over the lack of transparency, particularly regarding non-disclosure agreements signed by officials. The proposed 150-acre data center is raising fears among community members, including realtor Penny Hodges, who reports that some residents are considering moving if the project proceeds due to potential changes to the county's rural character, increased infrastructure demands, and utility needs.
Franklin County Board member Dan Quinn stated that some public alarm stems from misinformation, citing an example about the project's water source. He clarified that any data center would draw water from a reservoir used by the Western Virginia Water Authority, not Smith Mountain Lake. Quinn also explained that discussions with prospective businesses are legally required to occur in closed sessions, a practice that residents find unsatisfactory given their desire for greater public input.