(The Center Square) – A $3 billion data center project is coming to Caroline County, marking the largest economic investment in the Virginia county’s history and the company’s first site in the Fredericksburg area.
The project is expected to create 50 jobs.
The company broke ground Thursday on the VA1 campus. The site is designed for high-demand computing and includes land conservation measures and closed-loop cooling systems that minimize water use, along with design features to reduce noise and light spillover.
Virginia’s rapid data center growth has continued statewide discussions about water demand. Data centers in northern Virginia used close to 2 billion gallons of water in 2023, a 63% increase since 2019, according to the Environmental & Energy Study Institute.
Loudoun County’s facilities alone used about 900 million gallons of that total, and many operators now rely on closed-loop systems that reuse water and significantly reduce the need for continuous freshwater supplies.
“Virginia is the data center capital of the world, and I am thrilled that CleanArc has selected Caroline County as the site to invest $3 billion for their newest data center campus,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a statement.
“By listening to Virginians and collaborating with industry leaders, CleanArc is ensuring this campus brings great jobs and revenue to this community and the commonwealth while ensuring the high quality of life Virginia is known for.”
“With this campus, CleanArc is ensuring every data center built in Virginia is better than the last,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “This enormous investment in Caroline County is a sign of Virginia’s growing dominance in the global tech industry.”
“Today marks an important milestone for CleanArc Data Centers and northern Virginia,” said CleanArc Data Centers Founder and CEO James Trout. “This new, leading-edge campus reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, efficient, and sustainable data center solutions while supporting the local economy and workforce.”
Port Royal District Supervisor Nancy Long said the county’s regulations include community buffers, noise and screening requirements, and a ban on using potable water for industrial cooling.
Mattaponi District Supervisor Floyd Thomas said the project will bring in revenue for school improvements, infrastructure upgrades and public safety while helping keep taxes stable for residents.
