Data centers have become a defining issue in Prince William County, shaping land-use decisions, utility costs, and long-term planning across the region, even as many residents are only now catching up to how large the industry has grown.
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“That is a motion that really needs to be split into two separate motions,” InsideNoVa reported. “Basically, the way it is, because of the weight of it, because it was the same [legal] firm – pure and simple, more than anything, it was a mistake to vote that way. It was a mistake on my end to vote that way.”
“As of Dec. 18, 2025, the total funds spent in the [Digital Gateway] rezoning and real estate assessment litigation is $1,663,478.72,” InsideNoVa [reported], citing a county spokeswoman. “These cases are complex and this number includes the costs for the work of attorneys in the outside counsel law firm, expert witnesses, court reporters and transcripts, costs of preparing and filing the appeals briefs, preparation of the extensive legislative record, etc., spanning more than two years.”
Substation ruled inconsistent with city plan; residents blast water, trees, and transmission line impacts
The Fredericksburg Planning Commission has unanimously rejected a proposal to rezone more than 80 acres near Route 3 and Cowan Boulevard for a massive data center campus, after months of controversy over water use, tree loss, and high-voltage transmission lines near neighborhoods.
Stafford County officials will revisit their newly adopted data center regulations tonight, considering an ordinance that would exempt five previously approved developments from the stricter rules passed in October after a marathon joint hearing that stretched past 2:30 a.m.
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, supervisors will weigh Ordinance O25-29(R). This revision would formally grandfather any data center project that had a rezoning, conditional use permit, or site plan approved on or before Oct. 21, 2025. County planners say the exemption was widely understood to be part of the board’s intent during the October vote but was never written into the final ordinance.
The Prince William County Planning Commission denied a deferred data center plan slated for Hornbaker Road at its Nov. 5 meeting.
The plan was originally brought forth to the Commission at its Sept. 24 meeting, but two tied votes — one for approval and the other for denial — forced the Commission to defer the plan to a later date.
“Our properties, our yards, our backyards, our green space is being used as an extension cord for big data, and it’s unacceptable,” said Vida Carroll, founder of the Civic Association of Brentsville and Surrounding Areas, during a protest outside a Dominion Energy “open house,” Prince William Times reported. “All of us are here tonight because our quality of life and our homes are under threat from yet another project by Dominion.”
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“Thanks to companies like Vantage, Virginia is leading the world into a future powered by the limitless possibilities of artificial intelligence,” Governor Glenn Youngkin announced. “With this $2 billion in investment, Vantage is paving the way for a stronger Stafford County and a stronger Virginia. This project reflects our commitment to innovation, job creation, and economic growth — and it’s another example of how Virginia is winning for families and businesses alike.”
“Fredericksburg offered a significant opportunity for Vantage to serve our customers seeking capacity and access to the resources of Data Center Alley,” Vantage Data Centers North America President Dana Adams said. “The region’s proximity to major metros, access to robust infrastructure, and growing technology ecosystem make it an ideal location to meet skyrocketing demand.”
