Chesterfield leaders detail financial impact of Google data center projects
Chesterfield County leaders updated residents on the significant financial impact of three planned Google data center campuses, which could generate substantial tax revenue and help rebalance the county's tax base. The Board of Supervisors deferred a vote on using this revenue to lower car taxes, amidst ongoing resident concerns about water and electricity usage. County officials also stated they are not supporting any additional data centers beyond the current projects.
Chesterfield County leaders provided an update on the financial implications of three Google data center campuses planned for the county, estimating they could contribute $2.7 billion in real estate value and shift the tax base significantly towards commercial properties. During a meeting, Deputy County Administrators Jesse Smith and Matt Harris addressed residents' questions and explained that the projects could generate over $10 million annually per campus, potentially reducing the county's car tax rate by nearly $1 per $100 of assessed value.
The Board of Supervisors, however, deferred a vote on allocating data center revenue to lower the car tax, citing a need for more discussion. Meanwhile, residents raised ongoing concerns about water and electricity consumption, as well as local neighborhood impacts. Mary Finley-Brook of Data Center Defiance criticized the lack of detailed answers regarding resource use, while county officials referred questions on energy to Dominion and air quality to state regulators.
County officials emphasized that "this is the universe of data centers moving forward," indicating they are not supporting any additional data centers beyond the three Google projects. They also defended the use of nondisclosure agreements in recruitment processes. Last year, the county approved a zoning change requiring any new data centers to obtain a conditional use permit from the Board of Supervisors, reflecting a more cautious approach to future development.