Written by Kara Hopkins, News Editor
Following dramatic protests on Monday, Sept. 21, various local news outlets have confirmed that there is the potential for another data center in Roanoke.
According to WFIR news, The Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority (WVRIFA) confirmed plans for Clearview Dynamics to purchase land in Wood Haven Technology Park. This technology park is located where I-581 and I-81 intersect. The land is located in Roanoke County, but the City of Salem and City of Roanoke share ownership of the land as well, meaning that all localities can benefit from the potential economic benefits of the center. The land was zoned in 2020, before Clearview Dynamics was considering purchase, for Type I and II Industry. This includes factories, processing plants, and certain facilities with the potential to be dangerous. Data centers are a new addition to zoning laws, but they fit under these Industry Types.
The center would likely pull from the Appalachian Power Company grid and plans to use water from Spring Hollow Reservoir, which pulls water from the Roanoke River. This water source supplies most of South Roanoke currently, but can be used to feed other parts of the city and county if needed. The reservoir is owned by the Western Virginia Water Authority, and their website claims it can only produce up to 18 million gallons of water a day, but is currently operating at half that amount to meet customer needs.
John Hull, the Executive Director of WVRIFA and Roanoke College Alumnus claims that both WVRIFA and Clearview Dynamics will be as transparent as possible about the preliminary process, according to WDBJ7 News.
The newly signed Virginia Executive Order 22 requires transparency in data center development. Hull and Clearview Dynamics stated in a press release that they will comply with this order, according to Cardinal News. The evaluation process for the land, including the environmental and community impact study, could take until March 2027. After this phase, the land may be purchased by Clearview Dynamics if conditions allow.
The Roanoke Valley has not responded with a positive outlook to this potential business addition, despite the economic growth that WVRIFA suggests it could bring to the area.
Since the approval of the Google Data Center in Botetourt County (just northeast of Roanoke) in 2025, there has been a series of protests throughout Southwest Virginia expressing anger over AI growth and data center construction. People have reverted to social media, creating anti-AI Facebook interest groups, creating informational posts, and commentary on TikTok. The community has also taken to the streets and participated in several protests in Downtown Roanoke and areas in Botetourt.
Citizens are expressing similar frustration for the potential for a new data center. On Monday, Sept. 21, citizens protested in a Roanoke City Council meeting. Some held signs, or attended with strength in numbers. Others spoke at the meeting, and expressed concern for the plans.
Two citizens dressed as superheroes used their right to protest. A protester, dressed as Rogue from the comic series X-Men, spoke about electric and water bill increase concerns and environmental destruction. She cited a peer-reviewed study that followed public health concerns in Virginian communities near datacenters. She ended her speech by saying “we could choose development that builds on what makes Roanoke so special,” critiquing the increased amounts of investors in the Roanoke Valley area.
Similarly, a protestor dressed as Captain Planet approached the stand, expressing his catchphase, “the power is yours!” He spoke about the ethical and environmental concerns surrounding the potential data center, using Captain Planet’s powers of Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Heart. He also criticized Clearview Dynamics as a company, and expressed his distrust in them.
More citizens rallied outside the building as this meeting was going on, expressing similar concern over the Wood Haven datacenter. Roanoke has made its voice known, and superheroes are urging city council members to reject proposals to include more data centers in the Valley.
