Botetourt County sued over data center agreement

A Virginia resident has initiated legal action against Botetourt County, alleging that the Board of Supervisors violated the state’s Freedom of Information Act during the approval of a major agreement with Google for a new hyperscale data center. The lawsuit contends that the county cultivated an atmosphere of secrecy over the previous year and failed to adequately disclose the substance of the contract when bringing it to a public vote, thereby undermining democratic transparency and legal protocols. The core of the complaint centers on the procedure used to finalize the Economic Development Performance Agreement, which involves land acquisition, expedited permitting, and tax benefits for the project. Legal representatives argue that while the board discussed the matter in a closed session, they failed to reconvene in an open meeting with reasonably identified substance before voting. This procedural failure is claimed to render the agreement’s approval legally ineffective, as Virginia law mandates strict transparency during such critical decisions. This case is highly relevant to the open data community as it underscores the vital importance of accessible government records and procedural adherence in major infrastructure developments. It highlights the tension between rapid economic development and the public’s right to know how decisions are made. By challenging opaque processes, the lawsuit reinforces the principle that data regarding public contracts and governance must be openly available to ensure accountability and trust in local government operations.

Source: wdbj7.com
Published on 2026-11-03

Botetourt County sued over data center agreement

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