The plans for a $3bn hyperscale data center campus by Google in Roanoke Valley, Virginia are still in full swing. These remarks were noted by Kyle Rosner, Botetourt County’s economic development director. Google and local officials also say the project will deliver at least 150 new jobs and $3 billion in investment by 2030. Water and energy requirements, however, have led to opposition from residents concerned whether there is enough resources for the community and Google.
These concerns are based off an earlier funding agreement that Google signed with the Western Virginia Water Authority in October 2025. It shows that the campus could use up to 8 million gallons of water a day. However, the authority will provide a water capacity of 2 million gallons daily at first, starting in 2028.
In terms of power, Rosner and other officials say the presence of the Appalachian Power substation in Cloverdale and local manufacturing companies, such as Virginia Transformer Corp. and bucket truck-maker Altec, contributed to Google’s decision. Other data centers also advancing across the US include the $16bn Saline Township data center project. Dubbed “The Barn” the project officially broke ground earlier this week, marking a significant moment for Michigan’s data center investments.
Challenges Facing the Proposed Roanoke Valley Data Center by Google
The proposed data center campus by Google in Roanoke Valley is not devoid of challenges as opposition mounts. A few dozen protesters gathered outside the county administration building before the Botetourt supervisors meeting in March. Furthermore, even before the full scope was known, a group of residents formed the Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance.
Local Ben Verschoor noted he helped organize the group out of concern about the use of limited natural resources and the expansion of AI technology that’s driven demand for data centers around the world. “I think there are a lot of reasons to object to it. One is the amount of water that it uses. Starting at 2 million gallons a day is just completely insane,” Verschoor says. “The equivalent is basically an entire new municipality, like adding another Salem to the water system.”
Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe says the regional water system currently has an excess capacity for 15 million gallons of water daily. “If this uses a percentage of that, it makes the water authority more efficient. It allows them to pay their bills a lot easier.” Larrowe and Rosner say the project also turns a large unused plot into a taxable property without incurring public investment.
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Roanoke Valley Hyperscale Data Center Campus
- Location: Botetourt County, Roanoke Valley, Virginia, USA
- Estimated Investment Value: $3 Billion
- Project Type: Hyperscale Data Center Development
Timeline
- Development plans currently advancing
- Water supply agreement signed in October 2025
- Initial water service expected to begin in 2028
- Full investment and job creation targets projected by 2030
Site & Scale
- Planned hyperscale data center campus in Roanoke Valley
- Expected investment of at least $3 billion
- Initial water allocation of 2 million gallons per day
- Potential future water demand of up to 8 million gallons daily
Key Stakeholders
- Developer and operator: Google
- Regional water provider: Western Virginia Water Authority
- Local government: Botetourt County
- Community group: Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance
Infrastructure Scope
- Large-scale hyperscale data center campus development
- Water infrastructure capable of supporting phased capacity growth
- Integration with existing regional power infrastructure
- Utilization of nearby electrical and manufacturing assets to support operations
Strategic Objectives
- Create at least 150 permanent jobs by 2030
- Expand Google’s data center and AI infrastructure footprint
- Increase economic activity and tax revenues in Botetourt County
- Leverage existing utility and industrial infrastructure in the region
Current Status
- Project planning and development activities remain active
- Community opposition continues over water and energy consumption concerns
- Local officials maintain that regional water systems have sufficient excess capacity
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