Land
- Loudoun County Explores Data Center Replacements East of Route 28
Loudoun County is evaluating a proposal to replace hotels and restaurants with data centers in locations east of Route 28. This shift involves changes to commercial land uses in the specified area. Discussions have included analysis of how the transition might affect surrounding infrastructure. Traffic implications form a central part of the ongoing review process. […]
- Balancing Growth and Community Impacts Through Cost-Effective Infrastructure
Loudoun County and broader Northern Virginia face escalating demands for high-voltage transmission infrastructure to support the region’s dense concentration of data centers. Dominion Energy has advanced several projects, including elements of the Loudoun Reliability Loop linking the Aspen, Golden, Mars, and Wishing Star substations near Ashburn. These lines, operating at 500 and 230 kilovolts, ar
- Loudoun County Farm Bureau Addresses Agricultural Exemption Distinctions
A representative from the Loudoun County Farm Bureau provided details on how agricultural exemptions apply differently to various structures. The presentation focused on the intended purposes of such rules in local zoning contexts. Barns used for storing hay represent typical agricultural buildings with specific lower standards for construction. Event centers seeking similar treatment must demonst
- Montgomery County Finalizes Acquisition Deal for White’s Ferry Maryland Operations
Montgomery County officials announced they have reached a deal with the owners of the Maryland side of White’s Ferry. The agreement involves the purchase of ferry operations and associated dock facilities. This development follows years of closure that began in December 2020 after a legal dispute over the Virginia landing. The ferry previously connected Montgomery […]
- Loudoun County Funds 188 New Positions to Support Expanding Infrastructure and Services
Loudoun County is set to expand its local government workforce by adding one hundred eighty-eight newly funded staff positions across eighteen different departments. This significant personnel increase is a central component of the newly outlined five billion four hundred million dollar total budget for the upcoming fiscal year. County documents indicate that the majority of […]
- Prince William County Advances Strategic Land Acquisitions and Conservation Efforts in Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
Prince William County is actively executing a series of strategic land purchases and real estate investments as part of its Fiscal Year 2027 budget planning. Local officials have allocated millions of dollars toward essential public safety infrastructure, economic redevelopment, and environmental conservation initiatives across the jurisdiction. These targeted financial commitments reflect a broad
- Data centers want to build their own gas turbines. Would that skirt state renewable energy laws?
Virginia’s surging energy demands require more power generation infrastructure to be built, a slow process that’s delaying new data centers waiting to be connected to the grid. Dominion Energy, the state’s largest utility, has an estimated 70 gigawatts worth of projects in their queue that need more power sources online before they can link to […]
- Virginia Lawmakers Consider Reparations for Land Taken via Eminent Domain for Universities
Virginia Democrats are advancing proposals for reparations aimed at families who lost property to eminent domain during expansions at Christopher Newport University and Virginia Commonwealth University. The measures focus on historical land acquisitions that occurred over several decades. These developments have prompted renewed discussion about the effects of institutional growth in the state. De
- Fairfax County FY 2027 Budget Maintains Unassigned Fund Balance Amid Tax Adjustments
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently finalized the markup for the Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund budget, navigating complex financial pressures. Despite numerous adjustments made during the intensive markup process, the available unassigned fund balance remains entirely unchanged at $23,167,079. According to markup documents, this figure represents the balance included in the advertised
- Virginia Delegate Proposes Historic Recognition for Bicentennial Family Farms
In the 2026 Virginia House of Delegates regular session, Delegate Jason Ballard introduced House Bill 104 to amend state law regarding the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register. The legislation specifically directs the Department of Historic Resources to include bicentennial farms among the types of properties that can be nominated for listing on the register. This step […]
- Workspace Shortages Challenge Plumbers in Loudoun County
Plumbers working in Loudoun County describe ongoing challenges in locating appropriate workspace for their businesses. These professionals often manage operations from limited spaces that do not fully meet their requirements. The situation affects how equipment and materials are handled on a regular basis. Current Workspace Limitations Many local plumbers indicate that commercial properties suitab
- Prince William County Faces $373 Million Budget Shortfall Amid Voided Digital Gateway Project
Prince William County is currently facing severe financial headwinds as a projected $373 million budget shortfall by fiscal year 2031 directly threatens the critical unassigned fund balance. The massive structural deficit stems largely from the legally voided Digital Gateway land rezoning and subsequent long-term delays in anticipated corporate tax revenues. Even before the project’s cancellation,
- Prince William County Allocates Five Million Dollars to Affordable Housing Reserve in Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
Prince William County is making a substantial financial commitment to address regional housing challenges in its latest fiscal planning cycle. The fiscal year 2027 budget allocates a dedicated five million dollars to the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund to stimulate the development of accessible living spaces. This recent injection brings the cumulative investment in the reserve […]
- Prince William County Advances $20 Million Increase for Parks and Recreation Capital Investments
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors has advanced a budget plan that features a twenty million dollar increase in capital investments for the Department of Parks and Recreation. The current board, consisting of Chair Deshundra Jefferson, Tom Smith, Yesli Vega, Bob Weir, Victor Angry, Kenny Boddye, Andrea Bailey, and Margaret Franklin, oversees these extensive […]
- Supervisor Addresses Old Bennett School Property Concerns at County Meeting
Deshundra Jefferson spoke during a Prince William County Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss the Old Bennett School property situation. She outlined the county’s position on the land and responded to recent claims. The supervisor’s comments focused on clarifying ownership and the nature of interactions with other parties. Jefferson indicated respect for differing opinions expressed […]
- Fairfax County Solid Waste Facilities Adopt Rooftop Solar for Energy Needs
Fairfax County officials have implemented rooftop solar systems at solid waste facilities operated by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. These installations generate electricity to meet on-site power demands. The project aims to support operational needs through on-site renewable sources. The solar arrays contribute to reduced electricity purchases from external providers.
- Virginia Enacts Legislation to Update Noxious Weeds Regulations and Close Commercial Loophole
In the recent 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly, House Bill 109 was enacted into law, bringing important changes to the management of noxious weeds in the Commonwealth. The legislation, which amends sections 3.2-800 and 3.2-802 of the Code of Virginia, focuses on updating the definition of noxious weeds and removing barriers that had […]
- Manassas Park Schools Seek $900,000 from Reserves Amid Enrollment Declines
The Manassas Park City Public Schools system is facing heightened scrutiny regarding its fiscal year 2027 budget proposals and administrative transparency. District officials have requested approximately $900,000 from municipal reserves to cover upcoming salary and benefit costs for educational staff. This substantial financial draw comes at a time when the school district is experiencing a […]
- Loudoun School Board Schedules Special Session on Transmission Line Request
The Loudoun County School Board has scheduled a special meeting for July 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Rock Ridge High School to discuss a request from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. The request seeks authorization to use school property for alternative routes of Dominion Energy’s Golden to Mars transmission line project. The meeting […]
- Virginia Regulators Approve Data Center Power Line Route Through Ashburn Neighborhood
The Virginia State Corporation Commission has issued a final order approving Route 3A for the Golden-Mars transmission line project proposed by Dominion Energy. This route will involve the construction of approximately 185-foot tall power line structures passing through portions of the Loudoun Valley Estates subdivision in Ashburn. The decision addresses the need for additional electrical […]
- Loudoun County Officials Discuss High Permit Fees for Basic Backyard Sheds
Loudoun County has seen attention directed toward the costs involved in securing permits for basic backyard sheds. Recent comments from Supervisor Caleb Kershner noted that such projects can incur expenses reaching ten thousand dollars in permit fees alone. These figures arise from various requirements including those related to grading and other preparatory steps. The topic […]
- Loudoun Supervisor Caleb Kershner Highlights Concerns Over Zoning Ordinance Adjustments
Loudoun County Supervisor Caleb Kershner has drawn attention to the challenges associated with modifying zoning ordinances to focus on particular development projects. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors manages these land use regulations as part of its responsibilities. Kershner’s statements focus on the possible consequences for consistent policy application. Potential Effects on Development
- Do data centers impact our physical health? Studies are few and far between.
Data centers fuel the ever-growing demand for social media, artificial intelligence and streaming services, allowing people to access a plethora of entertainment options and streamline everyday tasks. And their numbers are growing — another 80 proposed projects cataloged by the Data Center Proposal Tracker would more than double the current 71 active sites in the […]
- Loudoun Supervisor Mike Turner Examines Vineyard Zoning Compliance Issues
Loudoun County Supervisor Mike Turner addressed questions regarding new zoning ordinances during a board meeting. The ordinances may classify vineyards as non-resident uses subject to a 50 percent standard. This development has prompted discussions about compliance for existing properties in the county. Details of the Proposed Zoning Standards Mike Turner explained that a vineyard could […]
- State budget extends Virginia higher education displacement commission funding for two years
Funding approved by Virginia lawmakers in the new state budget paves the way for two more years of work by a commission studying Black communities’ past displacement by Virginia colleges and universities and potential forms of redress. While final figures have not been determined, the commission — the only of its kind in the state […]
- How Virginia became the world’s data center capital and how it’s going
Demand for internet access and electronic storage has grown alongside digital technology itself. At the center of that growth are the energy infrastructure and data centers that governments and companies began developing in Northern Virginia in the late 20th century. Today, the region houses the world’s largest concentration of data centers, making Virginia the nation’s […]
- Virginia’s romance with data centers has cooled, but nobody benefits if there’s a full breakup
Data centers. Can’t live with them. Can’t live without them. But we could do with data centers slowing their jackrabbit pace of reproduction in congested suburbs and, instead, building where they could fill a need and do more economic good. Our romance with data centers has cooled in Virginia, home to the world’s greatest concentration […]
- Private equity companies buy more apartment units in Virginia
Private equity firms own nearly 3 million apartment units, about 13% of the total apartments across the country, according to a new analysis from watchdog group Private Equity Stakeholder Project. And most have been fairly recent purchases. The companies acquired more than 1.7 million of those, or 57%, since 2018, and about 45% of them […]
- Virginia farmers talk meat production, fertilizer costs with USDA officials
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy traveled to Doswell Wednesday to meet with Virginia farmers and meat producers and discuss the challenges they face – and what the federal government can do to help. Limited access to local meat processors is a persistent challenge […]
- Spanberger weighs legislation to allow class action lawsuits in Virginia courts
(Photo by Getty Images) Gov. Abigail Spanberger is weighing whether to sign or veto legislation that would, for the first time, allow Virginians to file class action lawsuits in state courts — a shift advocates say would expand access to justice, but one that has drawn pushback over how far the change should go. Virginia […]
- Virginia Farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene may apply for farm recovery grants
Flooding in Damascus, Virginia on September 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene. (Photo courtesy of Virginia Department of Emergency Management) Next week, the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program will reopen, allowing local farmers and timber producers to apply for financial assistance to recover from Hurricane Helene, which battered Southwest Virginia in 2024. The application portal […]
- Early poll is sobering for Spanberger, but it’s a wake-up call, not an epitaph
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks with reporters outside the Executive Mansion in Richmond earlier this month. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) The first report card on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s still brand-new term is in, and she can’t be happy with it. I’m hearing she’s decidedly unhappy. A new survey by the Washington Post and George Mason […]
- Conservation groups raise alarm as Potomac River named most endangered in the nation
A view of the U.S. Capitol from the Potomac River, March 30, 2026. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) The Potomac River, otherwise known as “the nation’s river,” has been named the most endangered river in the country, following a massive sewage spill earlier this year and the ongoing buildout of thirsty data centers across the […]
- Public Comment Urges Solar and Battery Integration for Proposed Virginia County Government Center
The commenter commended these provisions as successful steps toward environmental protection but advocated for additional requirements: installation of rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems. Describing the site as suitable for a model public property, the speaker called on the board to treat the opportunity as a chance for government to demonstrate leadership by example […]
- Loudoun County Farmer Highlights Concerns on Agrotourism’s Impact on Rural Preservation
Rockland Farm’s history traces back over 200 years within the Rust and Brown-Devlin family lineage, including figures like Elizabeth Devlin. The site has weathered regional changes, such as legal issues surrounding White’s Ferry operations that halted service in 2020. Since launching his farm in 2020, Devlin has engaged with networks of seasoned Loudoun farmers committed […]
- Loudoun County Approves Zoning Amendments to Facilitate Reconstruction of Agricultural Buildings
Rural zoning in Loudoun County is designed to promote and protect agricultural land use. Essential structures like barns support daily farm activities, including crop storage and animal care. Under the former rules, however, farmers encountered barriers if prior activities on the property conflicted with zoning classifications, preventing rebuilds despite clear natural disaster origins. Board disc
- Virginia General Assembly Debates Tax Treatment of Vacant Land Amid Housing Concerns
During the public session, one speaker advocated for reduced taxation on undeveloped parcels, arguing it would incentivize property owners and developers to improve the land. ‘Having a lower tax rate on vacant land encourages development and improvements,’ the speaker said, suggesting it could lead to more housing units entering the market. Counterarguments focused on fiscal […]
- Washington County Sets April Special Election on School Sales Tax Amid Holston Merger Fears
Supervisors vote 5-2 for an April 6 referendum after a packed hearing; superintendent cites $200 million facilities needs while Damascus residents link the tax to Holston High consolidation fears.
- Goochland County approves tech overlay district after hours of resident backlash
Goochland County, home to just over 28,000 residents and more than two hours south of Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” is the latest locality to face intense community pushback over plans to lure data center development to the area.
- Regulator approves electricity transmission line, towers in Alexandria to serve one data center
Bren Pointe residents in Fairfax County are closer to seeing steel transmission towers rise just outside their townhomes after Virginia’s regulators approved a new electricity line to serve a single planned commercial data center.
- Herndon files a lawsuit against Comstock to demand the return of the downtown redevelopment site
Herndon has officially filed a lawsuit against Comstock Companies, after the developer abandoned its long-stalled Downtown Redevelopment Project last year. The town filed a suit in Fairfax County Circuit Court today (Friday), demanding that Comstock returns the nearly five-acre site it planned for to convert into an arts center with apartments, retail space, and a […]
- Senate majority leader champions Tysons casino bill
A lobbying flyer shared with lawmakers in Virginia includes a rendering Comstock’s proposed casino development at Tysons.
- Evaporative Technologies Company to Expand in Virginia
For Immediate Release: June 18, 2024 Contacts: Office of the Governor: Christian Martinez, Christian.
- Amazon announces deal with Dominion Energy to develop a small nuclear reactor
Amazon announced Wednesday that it entered into an agreement with Dominion Energy to pay for the development of a small modular reactor as the utility explores building one at its North Anna Power Station, an existing traditional nuclear power plant in Louisa County.