Connect | Virginia // DCD>Debate: County-ing on growth - Can Virginia’s other counties match the data center boom?

As the demand for data centers continues to rise, site selection has become increasingly critical. With Virginia’s data center market maturing, challenges like land availability, power constraints, and rising construction costs are prompting many to ask: Is it time to look beyond Loudoun County for growth?

Counties like Spotsylvania, King George, and Mecklenburg have seen new large-scale data center developments since 2022, as developers seek to capitalize on available land and resources. These areas are attractive due to proximity to existing infrastructure, ample land, and local government incentives.

While these areas offer growth potential, they also come with challenges. Developers must navigate power constraints, water usage concerns, regulatory approvals, and community pushback, all while meeting tight project timelines. Additionally, developing data centers in these counties requires significant investments in infrastructure, including one of the largest challenges: power supply

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