MWC’s Preston Bryant published an in-depth article in the University of Richmond School of Law’s Public Interest Law Review on the Virginia General Assembly’s deliberations over the growth of the state’s data center industry. In his article, “The General Assembly’s Consideration of the Data Center Industry’s Growth in Virginia,” Preston dives into the history and evolution of Virginia’s data center industry, its profound economic and infrastructure impacts, and the tough issues now before the General Assembly.
Virginia has been at the heart of the data center industry for decades, playing a critical role in powering the nation’s—and the world’s—digital economy. This thriving industry has brought significant benefits, including hundreds of billions of dollars in capital investments, tens of thousands of jobs, and substantial tax revenues. However, these successes come with challenges: large land use, increased energy demand, expanded transmission infrastructure, and significant water usage.
With numerous growth and impact-control bills under consideration in Virginia’s 2025 legislative session, decisions made today will shape the industry’s future, local communities, and the lives of Virginians.
Read the full article to explore how Virginia is balancing opportunity with impact in this pivotal era of data center growth.
