The RoanokeSlant
This file is a US personal journal of commentary of examples of the Roanoke Times and Liberal Media Slant...... lbhagen@aol.comFriday, August 14, 2026
Franklin Co. Data Center Ongoing
Franklin Co. Data Center Ongoing
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Franklin County has so far missed the massive new-business development funding committed to the Martinsville and Danville areas that will bring jobs and employment there and add millions to the ongoing tax receipts.
Franklin County has the continued dependency of taxes targeted on local businesses and homeowners to pay for schools and county services and has limited new job opportunities.
The Franklin County economic development entities, including the County Board, are working diligently with potential candidates to explore the feasibility of utilizing the Rt. 220 Business Park in which Franklin County has invested heavily.
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Hopefully the Franklin County community and government will embrace the exploration of Data Center opportunities and if appropriate embrace them.
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Roanoke Times Article:
Impacts of possible Franklin County data center the topic of Sunday meeting
https://roanoke.com/news/local/business/development/article_0ea54db3-8cbc-427d-93cd-d3fa25e78cee.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
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Vocal disapproval from the community has come in person and online. At last month's county board of supervisors meeting, more than 200 residents attended to criticize the actions of their representatives.
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At 3 p.m. Sunday, many of those same local residents will be hosting a community meeting at the Scruggs Volunteer Fire Department in Moneta. Christine Sizemore with the Franklin County Community Coalition said the meeting will give residents the opportunity to share what they know about the proposed data center and also discuss next steps.
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The secrecy around a potential data center in Franklin County is most likely due to the rules when it comes to bringing businesses to the county-owned Summit View Business Park.
Franklin County, like others in Virginia negotiating bringing businesses to industrial parks, often sign nondisclosure agreements that prevent information getting out to the public. Documents released through FOIA requests reveal that Franklin County staff is under an NDA related to Project Flash, preventing any discussion with the public.
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Franklin County Economic Development Director Danielle Poe said the county works with partners such as the Roanoke Regional Partnership and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to assist in connecting with potential businesses for Summit View. She added that potential businesses ask for an NDA as part of negotiations, sometimes established between partners before even connecting with Franklin County.
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"Most projects are going to ask for an NDA before they would share any specific information," Poe said.
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Large-scale businesses will often look at potential industrial parks around the state for one that fits specific criteria they have. Many discussions with potential businesses don't go beyond the initial stage, Poe said, as Summit View may not fit what they need.
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"Typically you will know a broad stroke of the type of industry, but you don't know any of the specifics," she said. "If we were to make it past a certain point, they are going to start asking for additional information on the site. So then you start having more targeted conversations about what their needs are and what we can fulfill based on those needs."
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With potential businesses working with the VEDP, Poe said confidentiality is required throughout the recruitment process. If a company selects Franklin County, no public announcement can be made until the governor's office issues an official project announcement. Following the announcement, county supervisors consider any required performance agreement and related public actions during an open meeting.
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To Data Center, Or Not To Data Center
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2026/07/to-data-center-or-not-to-data-center.html
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