A recent proposal from Amazon Web Services for a 7.2-million-square-foot data center on a 1,370-acre campus is causing uproar in Louisa County.
The proposal is the latest in a string of tech megacorps showing interest in Louisa County. In 2023, the Louisa County Board of Supervisors approved a measure creating Technology Overlay Districts—growth areas that meet technology business infrastructure requirements—like proximity to fiber optic internet and adequate water and transportation access—but that also would avoid areas of historical significance and residential or agricultural developments. These districts are designed to attract tech companies looking to build data centers—large warehouse-like structures where businesses keep servers and other physical hardware needed to operate robust networks and websites—close to major metropolitan areas like Richmond and Washington, D.C.
Last year, the board made amendments to the TOD zoning codes, forcing approval for conditional use permits for some proposals prior to beginning construction. Had it not done so, Amazon would have been able to build the data center by right.
Three data center projects are currently underway in Louisa County: two from Amazon Web Services (the first comprises 150 acres off Route 652, beside the North Anna Power Station, the second is 830 acres off Route 33), and a 697-acre property belonging to EdgeCore, a Colorado-based data center developer.
The current proposal from Amazon, the e-commerce giant’s third in Louisa County and the largest of the three, is causing controversy among residents for multiple reasons: First, main access to the proposed campus would be located along Kennon Road, a short side road connecting Route 33 with the town of Mineral that is notorious for its sharp, blind curves. Another factor is that data centers can have a significant impact on a community’s infrastructure. They need a lot of electricity, and many require water-cooling systems that can use large quantities of water from an already struggling supply.
Locals have voiced myriad concerns ranging from the practical to the existential. Mineral resident Robbie Britt, whose home is adjacent to the proposed data center, says she hasn’t gotten much in the way of cooperation from Amazon either.
“Too many questions that have been asked haven’t been answered,” Britt says. “A lot of what we are hearing is pure speculation. We are already in a drought, so how can we depend on our water source at the Northeast Creek Reservoir? We don’t have the roads that can support the construction. I know none of the [supervisors] would want this in their backyard. I think the county is biting off more than they can chew.”
In a public town hall on June 26, Mineral District Supervisor Duane Adams echoed many of his constituents’ concerns. Adams explained that while he has supported the other data center proposals, and would continue to consider proposals about bringing tech investment into the county, he has concerns about the location and size of this particular Amazon data center.
“I supported what I believe is smart economic development in the past, to increase our tax base and continue to provide tax relief to our citizens,” Adams said during the town hall. “But that brings us to the question why we’re here tonight: the current proposal. I have questions about it. … Frankly right now, I’m strongly leaning towards no on this proposal.”
The data center’s proposed main access going through Kennon Road was a particular point of contention during the town hall, both with Adams and residents.
“You can’t go up and down Kennon Road. You can’t access this thing off Kennon Road,” Adams said. “That’s ridiculous. That’s dangerous. The people that live there [would] have a degraded quality of life.”
For many residents, the major concern is Louisa’s future as a largely rural community, and whether the need for funding will come at a cost to the residents’ way of life. Former Louisa town manager Tom Filer, a vocal opponent of the data center, says he believes that this is not just a debate about a data center, but a battle for the identity of Louisa County.
“Our proximity to three major metropolitan areas of the commonwealth make us attractive to move away from the hustle and bustle of rapid growing and changing urban life,” Filer says. “Whether this data center goes forward or not, Louisa needs a real discussion on where we are headed and we need new funding sources, besides residential real estate tax to get there.”
Cuckoo District Supervisor Christopher McCotter also spoke out publicly on Facebook regarding the data center, skeptical of its viability due to upcoming county elections.
With the exception of McCotter, who took to Facebook to express skepticism about the viability of the data center project, no other supervisors have spoken publicly about the proposal, and requests for comment from Amazon Web Services were not returned by press time.
The AWS proposal’s conditional use permit will next be considered and voted on by the Louisa County Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will then make its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, which will vote on it during another public hearing. Neither meeting has been scheduled, according to louisacounty.gov.
Three data center projects are currently underway in Louisa County: two from Amazon Web Services, and another by EdgeCore, a Colorado-based data center developer. File photo.
