I am a resident of the Stonewall Magisterial District, submitting public comment regarding data center development in Frederick County.

I support responsible growth and understand the fiscal pressures facing the County; however, data centers are not the right step, particularly at the scale and locations being considered. The public response on this issue has been overwhelmingly opposed. To date, there has been no visible community support expressed in meetings or public comment, despite prior statements from the chairman last year suggesting opposition and support were equal. That characterization does not reflect what residents have consistently shown.

This matters. Representing citizens requires acknowledging clear community consensus, especially when the impacts are borne by nearby residential areas, like my family.

I am also concerned that the long-term risks of data centers are understated. These are single-use, highly specialized facilities. Large technology companies typically lease space rather than own these buildings. If market conditions change, such as shifts or contraction in AI demand, the County risks losing a significant revenue source while being left with massive, difficult-to-repurpose structures that are incompatible with surrounding communities.

Additionally, groundwater protection must be explicitly addressed. Any policy or guidance related to data centers should clearly state that groundwater use is prohibited at all stages of construction and operation. Residents in the Stonewall District rely on private wells and have no meaningful protection if groundwater resources are impacted by County-approved industrial development. This restriction must be clear, enforceable, and not left to assumption.

I respectfully urge the Board slow down, hear the community, to reconsider whether this land use aligns with the County’s long-term vision, community sentiment, and responsibility to protect residential areas.

Thank you for your consideration.

Concerned Citizen's Case Against Large Data Centers in Rural Frederick County, VA

I support responsible economic development, but land-use decisions must reflect long-term impacts. State and local analyses show that large data centers are utility-scale infrastructure, not employment centers. According to the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), they require enormous electricity demand, specialized infrastructure, and provide minimal jobs.

Frederick County’s own review confirms that data center siting is driven by access to high-voltage transmission, not land-use compatibility. New facilities could require new 138-kV or higher-capacity transmission lines, permanently fragmenting farmland, forests, and rural neighborhoods—impacts beyond local land-use control.

While data centers can generate tax revenue, JLARC and County analyses show these benefits are front-loaded and decline rapidly due to equipment depreciation and uncertain refresh cycles. In contrast, infrastructure and land-use impacts are permanent.

JLARC also estimates that unconstrained data center growth could increase electricity bills statewide, even for residents who receive no direct benefit. Given these documented risks, large data centers should be directed to areas already planned and equipped for industrial-scale infrastructure, not predominantly rural communities.

It has not been shown that the benefits of data centers out way the negative consequences. I have spoken to no one in our community that is in favor of data centers in Frederick county. I encourage you to listen to those you are supposed to represent and keep data centers out of Frederick county. Thank you.