Data Center Transparency Group Responds to Google Announcement

Name: Data Center Transparency Group Responds to Google Announcement
Uploaded: 2026-04-01T10:25:28.000Z
Duration: 4 min 5 s
Description: Google has officially announced plans for a new data center in Botetourt County, Virginia, which has generated varied community responses. While the county anticipates significant tax revenue and public safety improvements, local residents and an advocacy group express concerns over the facility's high water usage, potentially up to 8 million gallons daily.

News Clip4:05WDBJ7·Botetourt County, VA·4/1/2026

Google has officially announced plans for a new data center in Botetourt County, Virginia, which has generated varied community responses. While the county anticipates significant tax revenue and public safety improvements, local residents and an advocacy group express concerns over the facility's high water usage, potentially up to 8 million gallons daily.

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Google

Gov: Botetourt County

WDBJ7 reported on the community's response following Google's official announcement regarding its new data center in Botetourt County, Virginia. The tech giant previously acquired over 300 acres of land in the county's Greenfield area for the project. Local officials, including Botetourt County's administrator, expressed excitement, highlighting the anticipated $30 million in annual tax revenue and immediate benefits, such as funding for police body cameras and ambulance heart monitors.

However, the announcement sparked concerns among some residents, particularly regarding the data center's substantial water consumption. A group called the Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance has formed to address these issues. Critics point out that the data center is expected to initially use up to 2 million gallons of water daily from Carvins Cove, with potential increases to as much as 8 million gallons per day.