Roanoke Regional Authority Withdraws From NDA for Proposed Wood Haven Data Center
The Western Virginia Regional Industrial Authority withdrew from a nondisclosure agreement with Clearview Dynamics involving a proposed data center at Wood Haven Technology Park in Roanoke County. The authority cited transparency concerns while saying it must continue protecting the buyer's identity and other project information, drawing criticism from local transparency advocates and elected officials.
The Western Virginia Regional Industrial Authority is selling 94 acres at Wood Haven Technology Park for a proposed data center by Clearview Dynamics. The site is jointly owned by Roanoke, Roanoke County and Salem, with water for the project expected to come from Spring Hollow. The authority voted Sept. 11 to initiate a purchase agreement and later confirmed the property's intended use as a data center.
The authority said it withdrew from a nondisclosure agreement in response to community concerns about secrecy surrounding data center projects, but maintained that it has ethical obligations to protect information such as the buyer's corporate parent. The Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance criticized the lack of disclosure and said residents oppose data centers negotiated behind closed doors. Roanoke County said it wants to be transparent while respecting the company's ability to announce the project on its own timeline. Authority director John Hull said the withdrawal allows officials to discuss the project more openly and that additional information could be available within 120 days.