County supervisors reject latest massive data center project in rural Gainesville

After nearly six hours of public comments, the board took less than 30 minutes to dispatch the idea of turning a rural area of small farms and large-lot homes into 43 million square feet of data centers— nearly 40% larger than the Prince William Digital Gateway, which died late last week after a three-year legal fight.

“I don’t believe that data centers are an answer to all of our problems,” said board Chair Deshundra Jefferson, D-At Large, in explaining her vote. “I cannot get on board with this.”