Frequently Asked Questions
- Data centers are centralized facilities for housing computer systems and associated components, such as storage and networking equipment.
- Data centers have numerous computers that store, process and manage digital information for websites, applications and online services. They ensure that data, including emails, videos and other digital content, is securely stored and accessible to users whenever needed.
- All modern industries, including IT, telecommunications, financial services, healthcare, media, government, education and energy sectors, rely on data centers to maintain operational continuity, ensure data security and comply with regulations.
- The property will be developed by Tract which will construct all necessary infrastructure, including water, sewer and road improvements, required to serve the site.
- Tract is under contract to purchase the property and intends to create a data center technology park. Tract combines proven experience and essential skills in planning, development, energy, digital infrastructure and real estate to achieve seamless coordination with our partners. The firm has roughly 25,000 acres of land purchased or under contract across the country that it is developing into shovel-ready master-planned data center parks. Tract will align the industry’s needs with those of Chesterfield County to maximize economic development and job creation goals.
- The property, approximately 745 acres, is located off Branders Bridge Road about 4 miles south of the Branders Bridge and Iron Bridge Road intersection.
- The Chesterfield Technology Park has been designed to minimize impacts on residents in the area. The project contains a conservation area that preserves roughly 100 acres along Branders Bridge Road. The conservation area along Branders Bridge is roughly 725 feet wide. The project will utilize the heavily wooded buffer around the property's perimeter to ensure that homeowners will not see the buildings. The perimeter buffer along Swift Creek will be 250 feet wide. Land will be dedicated for the Fall Line Trail along Branders Bridge Road, providing residents with new recreational benefits.
- The property will have two points of access off Branders Bridge Road. Tract has elected not to extend Amonte Parkway through the site to Branders Bridge Road. This connection would have encouraged “cut-thru” traffic, increased traffic on Branders Bridge and negatively impacted the adjacent property owners’ quality of life.
- The Chesterfield County Comprehensive Plan designates the future land use of the site as “Corporate Office/Research and Development/Light Industrial.” The development of a data center campus meets this designation.
- Special consideration has been given to limiting the use to only data centers, which greatly reduces traffic compared to traditional residential development or other industrial land uses. Additionally, data centers create far less of a strain on local services when compared to other users, such as large-scale residential neighborhoods or heavy industrial facilities. Data centers typically will not lead to a major influx of new residents who place a strain on county roads, schools and infrastructure.
- The exact number of buildings, building area and site layout will be determined at a later phase of development. However, to analyze the proposal, it is estimated that the campus can accommodate approximately ten data center buildings.
- Tract will be responsible for all costs associated with the design and construction of on-site and off-site water and wastewater infrastructure required to serve the site.
- This project will only utilize water provided by the Chesterfield County Utilities Department. The use of private well water is strictly prohibited, and no ground water will be used at any point in the development or operation of this facility.
- Modern data centers use up to 50% less water for cooling compared to facilities of a similar size 10-15 years ago, thanks to innovations in cooling technology that rely on closed-loop water systems, liquid immersion cooling, and advanced heat exchange technologies. These methods significantly reduce the need for evaporative cooling, enabling efficient thermal management while conserving water resources.
- Chesterfield Department of Utilities will serve the project and has confirmed that adequate capacity exists within the county’s system to serve the project.
- Tract has agreed to very restrictive commitments limiting the amount of water and wastewater used for the project.
- New cooling systems and equipment have cut data center noise levels by up to half compared to a decade ago, making them quieter neighbors.
- Noise will be limited to 60 decibels at the property line.
- A noise study for each data center building will be required to confirm conformance with noise limitations.
- Data centers have two primary sources of noise: 1) backup power generators and 2) heating, venting and air-cooling (HVAC) equipment.
- Modern data centers are designed and built with strict noise control measures, including acoustic barriers and soundproofing, strategically placed cooling units, low-noise fans and chillers.
- Generators will be used solely as a backup power source in the event of a power outage.
- Generators will be enclosed with sound-attenuating measures, and testing is limited to weekdays (Monday through Friday) between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- Tier 4 Generators will be used, which have the strictest emission standards, unless otherwise required by the air permit(s) issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
- Generators are subject to a comprehensive regulatory framework, which includes oversight by federal and state regulatory agencies.
- The Chesterfield Technology Park Visualization Study confirms that no buildings will be visible from Branders Bridge Road or adjacent properties. This is largely due to buildings being setback a minimum of 725 feet from Branders Bridge Road and a commitment to a minimum 100-foot undisturbed buffer along the Chesterfield Solar property and a minimum 250-foot undisturbed buffer around the remaining perimeter of the property.
- Based on the current modeling, the closest residential structure is more than 700 feet away from the facility, and most neighbors are more than a quarter mile away.
- In addition, the project has committed to preserving resource protection areas and wetlands, further protecting viewsheds.
- Data centers produce less traffic than traditional residential development and other commercial and industrial land uses.
- Tract will be responsible for all costs associated with Branders Bridge Road improvements, which will front the entirety of the property. These improvements include lane/shoulder widening and left and right-hand turn lanes into the facility.
- Tract has proffered to prepare a Traffic Management Plan for the maintenance of Branders Bridge Road during construction.
- Our data center is designed to integrate seamlessly into the local energy infrastructure, with a focus on safety, reliability, and responsible energy use. Before any data center is connected, Dominion Energy conducts a thorough study of the grid to ensure it can support the new facility without impacting local customers. The data center will operate within the planned capacity of the grid, and all infrastructure costs are covered by the data center itself, not local homeowners.
- Data centers are essential for powering the digital services we rely on every day, and we understand that questions about their energy use are important. Here’s what you need to know:
- No Cost to Local Homeowners: The cost of building and maintaining the electrical infrastructure needed for the data center is paid by the data center itself. Local homeowners will not see their bills increase because of this project.
- Safe and Reliable Power: Dominion Energy carefully studies the local electric grid before connecting any new project to ensure it remains safe, reliable, and capable of meeting everyone’s needs. The addition of a data center will not compromise the safety or reliability of electricity in your home.
- Accelerates critical grid upgrades: Large power users like data centers often prompt utilities to upgrade transmission lines, substations, and other infrastructure nearing end-of-life— improvements that enhance reliability and capacity for the entire region, not just the new customer. These upgrades often reinforce aging systems that would need modernization anyway, but at a slower pace.
- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Modern data centers are designed with energy efficiency in mind, using advanced cooling systems and efficient power management to reduce their environmental impact.
- Community Benefits: Beyond covering its own infrastructure costs, the data center can bring significant benefits to the community, including local job creation, increased tax revenue, and potential partnerships with local schools and organizations.
- No. The data center will pay its full cost of service, as data centers in Virginia have done to date. To address concerns from existing customers, Dominion Energy has submitted a plan to the State Corporation Commission to ensure any potential increase in future system costs associated with large load users like data centers is not passed on to other customers.
- Our power will come from the existing grid infrastructure in coordination with the local utility provider, Dominion Energy.
- Any new infrastructure improvements, such as transmission lines or substations, will be funded by the project, not by residential customers or taxpayers. We are working closely with the utility to determine the specific locations and design of any new infrastructure, prioritizing solutions that minimize community impact.
- While some new power lines may be needed, whether they will be placed underground depends on engineering feasibility and regulatory approvals.
- Importantly, this project will not cause residential electricity bills to increase, as the costs associated with serving the data center are covered by the data center. Our goal is to bring economic investment while ensuring responsible energy planning that benefits both the community and the local grid.
- Yes. Before any new infrastructure is connected, Dominion Energy conducts extensive studies to ensure the grid can safely and reliably support the new load. During periods of peak demand or in the event of a power outage, our data centers are designed to operate independently using backup systems, ensuring they do not place additional strain on the local electric grid.
- In an emergency, data centers will not take precedence over residential or essential services, ensuring that local customers maintain reliable access to electricity. It's also important to note that adding new transmission infrastructure to a region generally enhances grid reliability. Transmission lines are more resilient than typical distribution lines, providing a stronger and more reliable network. We are working closely with utilities and local officials to ensure that our project is integrated responsibly, supporting long-term grid stability and contributing to economic growth in the community.
- Data centers create very little traffic after construction and do not strain local services such as EMS, schools, parks and public safety, unlike residential, commercial or industrial development.
- Data centers provide a high economic return through property tax, personal property tax and sales and use tax.
- The project is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, which can be used to invest in a variety of community needs, including schools, social services, parks and law enforcement.
- The project anticipates generating approximately 430 jobs that pay $100,000 or more and 1,500 peak construction jobs.
- Energy efficiency in data centers is crucial for cost savings, environmental impact and regulatory compliance.
- The project will be required to apply for and receive environmental and site development permits from a variety of agencies at the federal, state and county levels.
- Stormwater infrastructure for the site will need to be approved by the county before installation, and the county will inspect the site to ensure the construction meets permit conditions.
- Tract has completed a thorough suite of due diligence investigations which include preliminary geotechnical investigations, Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments, cultural resource investigations, threatened & endangered species screening and wetland and stream delineations.
