Emergency crews remained on scene late into the evening Monday after a major gas leak was reported at the QTS data center just outside the City of Manassas.
Prince William County Fire and Rescue was dispatched to 9540 Godwin Drive at 2:10 p.m. for reports of a gas leak. As of 9 p.m., units were still actively working the scene.
Spokesman Matt Smolsky said the leak involved an 8-inch gas line, which significantly prolonged containment efforts.
âTakes time to isolate and secure leaks of that size,â Smolsky said. âUnits are protecting the scene regarding escaping vapors and scene safety.â
There were no immediate reports of injuries or evacuations, but emergency personnel continued to monitor the area for potential hazards.
The QTS data center sits near Godwin Drive, across from Mircon Technologies, and is part of the region’s growing technology infrastructure.
This is a developing story. Check back with Potomac Local News for updates.
As Fredericksburg city officials weigh budget cuts, tax increases, and federal funding uncertainties, one possible source of future financial relief came up during a joint City Council and School Board budget work session: a data center under development in Celebrate Virginia South.
Councilman Jon Gerlach (At-Large) asked whether the city could receive advance personal property tax payments from Stack Infrastructure, the company behind the project. The goal: explore whether Fredericksburg could tap into future revenue sooner to help offset current budget pressures.
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Data centers in Prince William County could see an increase in the tax rate for computers and peripherals used by data centers as the Board of County Supervisors deliberates on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The proposed tax rate for computer and peripheral (C&P) equipment is set to rise from $3.70 to $4.15 per $100 of assessed value, a move that could significantly impact data center operators and businesses utilizing advanced technology.
The Board of County Supervisors voted to advertise the new C&P tax rate, meaning they can lower the rate during their upcoming budget discussions but cannot raise it beyond the advertised amount. Some supervisors expressed concerns about the increase, arguing it could deter business investment, while others emphasized the need for additional revenue to support county services.
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In an op-ed published by The FXBG Advance, Mayor Kerry Devine warned that rejecting the TOD could push Fredericksburg to the back of Dominionâs ârapidly expanding project list,â potentially delaying or preventing the city from securing the necessary power for a proposed data center campus.
Seeking clarification, Potomac Local News asked Dominion whether the City Councilâs decision would have affected Fredericksburgâs place in the companyâs project queue.
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While Stafford officials champion a north-south corridor west of I-95, officials in Fredericksburg remain focused on a new river crossing, though disagreements persist over its location, cost, and environmental impact.
Stafford Advances Western Road Network Proposal
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The Fredericksburg City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, to approve the Technology Overlay District (TOD), paving the way for data centers in Celebrate Virginia South. Today, the city revealed that Central Park developer The Silver Companies and STACK Infrastructure announced an agreement to build as many as 8-12 data sets in the city.
It marked the first time the public learned who would build and how many data centers would be built. The decision marks a shift in the cityâs development strategy, prioritizing high-tech commercial investment over the previously envisioned mixed-use development.
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At the February 18, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting, the members discussed Resolution R25-43, which proposes amending Stafford County Code Section 28-35 and modifying the Table of Uses and Standards to introduce additional oversight for data center developments. To gather public feedback, a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission is scheduled for March 18, 2025.
Reasons for the Change
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Stafford County has received an application for a rezoning and conditional use permit to construct a data center along Olde Forge Drive between U.S. 17 and the Rappahannock River, reports FXBG Advance.
Mackintosh outlined the cityâs long-term planning efforts, which date back to 2018 when Fredericksburg began setting tax rates and policies to align with neighboring jurisdictions. With Northern Virginia running out of space, developers have turned their attention south, making Fredericksburg a prime target for new data center development.
Officials have proposed a Technology Overlay Districtâa designated 250-acre area in Celebrate Virginia South, near Wegmans and the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium to ensure that data centers fit within the city's framework. This district will allow data centers by right if they meet strict environmental and design regulations.
âWe didnât want to be reactive to data center proposals,â Mackintosh said. âWe wanted to set the terms ahead of timeâwhere it makes sense and under what conditions.â
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On Wednesday night, the Fredericksburg Planning Commission voted 4-3 to reject a proposed Technology Overlay District (TOD) that would have allowed data centers and technology-focused development in Celebrate Virginia South, near the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium. The motion to approve the district failed by a 4-3 vote, and a second motion recommending that the City Council require Special Use Permits (SUPs) for data centers instead passed by the same margin.
The vote came after a lengthy public hearing in which residents, environmental advocates, and commissioners raised concerns about transparency, environmental impact, and infrastructure readiness.
