The debate about data centers is raging in central Virginia counties, as companies are looking to build them here — now.
Three data centers were approved in quick succession in Louisa County this year, two of which are operated by Amazon Web Services centers. But when Amazon proposed building a third center this summer — the fourth in the area — community members rallied a strong resistance.
That resistance was enough that Amazon decided to pull its proposal in late July. You can read more about that decision in the Virginia Mercury.
But the conversation about data centers in central Virginia is far from over. The facilities dot the landscape to our northeast. In fact Loudon County, in northern Virginia, has the highest concentration of data centers in the world.
And those companies are knocking on the doors of surrounding communities.
Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors reacted quickly to this pressure by enacting temporary restrictions on new centers, limiting their size to 40,000 square feet. Those restrictions aren’t permanent, though, and the county is currently reviewing what it wants from a long-term policy — and supervisors are split on this. You can read more about their latest discussions in this article from NBC29.
This is a topic we’ll be revisiting in greater detail in the coming weeks and months.
Charlottesville officials want to know: How can we fix one of our trickiest intersections?
In other news, Charlottesville officials are working with the Virginia Department of Transportation to review some of the city’s most dangerous and confusing intersections in its downtown area. And any of you who have walked in that area probably already know which intersection is getting the most attention.
A state study has already recommended that the city make changes to its Ridge/McIntire and West Main St. intersection to — among other things — make it safer for pedestrians.
Take action
Tell officials what changes you’d like to see in downtown intersections
A public meeting about the Ridge/McIntire and West Main St. intersection is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 at the Carver Recreation Center, located in the Jefferson School City Center at 233 4th St. NW in Charlottesville
After the meeting, VDOT will post an online survey to the project page website. The survey will be open from Aug. 14 to Aug. 28
Oral and written comments can be sent via email to sandy [DOT] shackelford [AT] vdot [DOT] virginia [DOT] gov, with “Ridge Street at W. Main Street Intersection” as the subject line. Comments can also be sent via mail to Shackelford at 701 VDOT Way, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
Virginia DEQ wants your input on climate action plan — survey closes Friday
Finally, today is your last day to weigh in on the state’s 25-year plan for addressing climate change. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is developing a statewide plan to reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants and map out ways to reduce emissions and expand clean energy for the next 25 years. Here’s more about the survey.
Have a great weekend, everyone. And thanks for reading!
Jessie Higgins, Democracy Editor
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