PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – Balico LLC originally planned to build eighty-four two-story data centers, plus a natural gas power plant in Pittsylvania County.
Now according to the county, after speaking with neighbors, Balico is looking to revise and resubmit their plans.
The county approved the withdrawal at Thursday night’s planning commission meeting, where there was also over 45 minutes of public comment with residents speaking out against the project, and asking the county to reject it as well.
“The fact that this proposed power plant and data centers will destroy our community is no surprise to anyone here. It would wreck our peaceful, farming agricultural lifestyle. I know the application has been withdrawn, but I also know that it is not over,” said Lauren Sink Haygood, a resident in the Bannister District.
Following the public comments, the commission voted to allow Balico LLC to withdraw with no penalty, which means the company could bring back another application in the future The commission’s chairman applauded the residents for coming out and sharing their concerns, however he said job security is lacking in the county, and they’re at a fork in the road.
“There are two directions we can go, and some tough decisions are going to need to be made. If we want opportunities for our kids and our grandkids, we have to make a turn down one of these roads. If we just stay the course, we’ll be making decisions as a county out of desperation, or worse out of fear,” said Nathan Harker, the commission’s chairman, Staunton River District.
Again, according to a letter from Balico’s attorney, the company does expect to revise its application, and send it back to the county at some point in the future.