On Friday afternoon, it was anticipated that the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority board would announce a land sale for a data center project at Roanoke County’s Wood Haven Technology Park.
Instead, the board went into a closed meeting only later to confirm that it authorized a sale — but would not disclose any details beyond that.
Roanoke Vice Mayor Terry McGuire and Councilman Phazhon Nash, who attended the meeting, shared a joint statement after it adjourned, stating that they are “vehemently opposed” to any data center construction in the Roanoke Valley, including in the park — of which the city of Roanoke maintains a 44% ownership stake.
“We fully support advanced manufacturing, responsible private investment, and sustainable economic development opportunities that create meaningful employment and long term positive impact for the people of Roanoke,” McGuire and Nash’s statement read. “At the same time, supporting growth and economic development does not mean approving every project or type of development.”
They also stated that “Roanokers deserve much greater input on a decision of this magnitude and are disappointed with the lack of transparency from our leadership.”
The 111-acre park has over 50 acres of pad-ready land available for development with utilities in place, according to the Roanoke Regional Partnership’s website.
After the board ended the meeting, McGuire questioned Bryce Hunter, the authority’s attorney.
“Tell us about what you just voted on,” McGuire said to Hunter. “This does not tell us anything. … Is there any information that you can share with the constituents of the city of Roanoke?”
Hunter told McGuire, and others, that he didn’t have anything to share, as did other board members, as well as Roanoke’s economic development director, Marc Nelson, an alternate member. Hunter said the sale is still under negotiation. People who asked questions were directed to submit a Freedom of Information Act request.
“This is ridiculous,” McGuire said, adding that the process that took place Friday was “undemocratic.”
“Shame on all of you,” McGuire said.
Numerous people who attended the meeting lingered for almost an hour after the meeting, many expressing confusion as to what was voted on.
The authority, which owns the Wood Haven property, is made up of Botetourt County, Franklin County, Roanoke County, Roanoke, Salem and the town of Vinton. The authority acquired the property in 2016 for economic development purposes. It is zoned as a planned technology development district.
The authority board has 12 members, two from each locality, including its chairman, Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe, and vice chairman, Roanoke County Administrator Richard Caywood, and also Roanoke City Manager Valmarie Turner. Caywood ran the meeting, as Larrowe was absent.
At least 25 people attended the meeting, and 11 of them spoke during the public comment period before the vote, all in opposition to a potential data center.
“I’m so disappointed in you all,” Kathryn Hatam, from Botetourt County, said. “Why would you keep doing this knowing how against this our community is? Do you genuinely think you know better than scientists?”
Some speakers said they had only heard about the meeting on Thursday or Friday, some from a post seen on Reddit.
”The fact that you guys have all of the details and you’re ready to approve this thing and none of us have any of that information is really maddening. It does not have to be this way,” Julie Bivins told the board.
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and the Roanoke City Council met in closed sessions on Tuesday to discuss and consult with legal counsel regarding “a prospective business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community,” according to agenda documents.
The city council’s agenda specified that the prospective business or industry’s interest was in locating or expanding facilities “in a regional park which the City is a partner.”
Sarah Baumgardner, spokesperson for the Western Virginia Water Authority, said on Friday that the water authority has not heard from the facility authority, nor from any prospective tech business, about water needs at Wood Haven.
