A proposed 2,000-acre Dulles Cloud South data center in Prince William County, Virginia is being considered by officials. The Board of Supervisors is meeting in Woodbridge to discuss the new data center project located on the western part of the County. Once complete, it is expected to be twice the size of the stalled Prince William Digital Gateway data center proposal. However, that project stalled due to fierce public opposition over the years, same as now.

Ahead of the meeting, residents from across the county protested the Dulles South data center proposal. Moreover, they want the board of supervisors to halt it in its tracks. Standing in the project’s way is the county’s comprehensive plan. The land the company wants to build the data center complex is zoned for residential and agricultural use. In order for the project to move forward in that location, it would need the board to rezone the land for industrial use.

Another significant data center proposal is in Quality Hill, Kansas City where a Miami-based developer is proposing demolishing a historic building for a data center project. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from residents and community groups ahead of an August public hearing. The proposed 20-story data center in Quality Hill is expected to be located on the Western Newspaper Union Building. The building sits at 10^th and Central in Kansas City and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Historic Kansas City Executive Director Ethan Starr shared that it was built in 1900 and also expanded in 1906.

Outlook on the Dulles Cloud Data Center in Prince William

The Dulles Cloud South data center in Prince William County will not be the first that the Board of Supervisors will greenlight. Over the years, Prince William County supervisors have approved data centers because of the millions of dollars in tax revenue they provide to the county budget for things like schools and county services. So far, there are more than 55 data centers in the county and there are more than 75 on the way.

Moreover, there are around a dozen data center applications the board is considering. On Tuesday, some residents who said they live near the Dulles South site told the board they’re open to it because they’d rather have a data center than more neighborhoods that add more cars on local roads.

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance adds that data centers have produced millions of dollars in local tax revenue. “We just want policymakers to give data centers a chance, just like any other economic activity or industrial project,” said Ross Marchand, the Executive Director of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. “Data centers can deliver the goods. We see this in Loudoun County, bringing a billion dollars a year in tax revenue and also great jobs, well-paying jobs. So, just give these data center projects a chance.”

Project Overview

• Project Size: 2,000 acres
• Location: Prince William County, Virginia
• Project Name: Dulles Cloud South
• Status: Under consideration

Scope

• Large-scale data center campus
• Proposed on residential/agricultural land
• Rezoning to industrial use required
• Planned in western Prince William County

Highlights

• Twice the size of Digital Gateway proposal
• Could generate significant tax revenue
• Supports future digital infrastructure
• Potential long-term job creation

Community Response

• Strong public opposition
• Residents protested ahead of hearing
• Concerns over land use changes
• Some residents support the proposal

Key Developments

• Board of Supervisors reviewing proposal
• Rezoning decision pending
• Comprehensive Plan also presents a hurdle
• Public debate continues

Outlook

• Rezoning will determine the project’s future
• Community feedback expected to shape decisions
• Tax revenue also remains a key argument for approval
• Approval process likely to face continued scrutiny