Data Center Reactions in Roanoke County
Virginia Governor Spanberger announced a plan to ban Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) for state agencies and employees and to require community benefit statements for potential projects. This policy could impact a data center project in Roanoke County, where an NDA is currently in place for a potential land sale at Woodhaven Technology Park. The Data Center Coalition is awaiting further details on how these policy goals will be implemented.
Virginia Governor Spanberger has unveiled a new plan that includes banning Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) for state agencies and employees, and mandates community benefit statements for potential development projects. These statements would require written documentation of the benefits a project could bring to a community. The full impact of these policy goals on existing NDAs and future projects remains unclear.
One such project potentially affected by this announcement is a land sale in Roanoke County at Woodhaven Technology Park, which could become the site of a data center. Currently, an NDA is in place, preventing local residents from fully understanding the details of the proposed development.
The Data Center Coalition has issued a statement in response to the governor's announcement. The coalition stated they are awaiting "further details on how these policy goals will be implemented by Governor Spanberger and the General Assembly." They expressed readiness to engage with policymakers to ensure "workable, balanced policies that keep Virginia competitive and honor prior commitments by the Commonwealth and its localities." The coalition emphasizes the need for policies that allow Virginia to remain a competitive location for data center development while respecting existing agreements.