Community Concerns Emerge Over Data Center Proposal
Discussions regarding a possible data center development in Newport News have sparked opposition from local residents. While the project remains in preliminary stages, community members are already voicing their apprehensions.
"Anyone that I've spoken to doesn't know about it, which is unfortunate, because it's going to have such a massive impact upon the community," said Newport News resident Amanda Doughty.
Doughty learned about the potential development and immediately took action, creating informational materials and starting a Change.org petition titled "raise awareness about the potential data center in our city." The petition quickly gathered over 100 signatures within its first day.
"It's not OK for our citizens to not know what's going on within their community, especially if it's going to impact the environment, their health, [and] their cost of living, so that's why I started it," Doughty explained. "Based off my knowledge of data centers, their environmental impact, their health impact and their economic impact upon citizens, I'm greatly opposed to data centers being built."
City Officials Respond
When questioned about the potential project, a city spokesperson provided a statement emphasizing the broader context of Newport News' technology initiatives.
"During the recent EDGE Summit, one of the sites highlighted was identified as having potential to support a data center, among other possible uses. However, data centers are just one part of a much larger vision. Newport News is advancing a comprehensive Digital Infrastructure Readiness Initiative that includes fiber networks, smart-city technologies, and a culture of innovation—all designed to strengthen the city's technology foundation and future competitiveness.
This work is being approached strategically and collaboratively, with cross-departmental leadership and alignment with regional efforts. As we move forward, community engagement will be central to shaping the plan. Residents will have opportunities to provide input on how digital infrastructure can benefit neighborhoods, schools, jobs, and quality of life. Any future land use decisions will be made transparently and with public participation."
Environmental Concerns Take Center Stage
Doughty highlighted environmental protection as a primary motivation for her opposition.
"It'll have such a huge impact, especially on the bay, the groundwater, and that's something that's important to me," Doughty stated. "I want our kids to have clean water, clean air and a bright future."
The Newport News discussions follow recent events in neighboring Chesapeake, where residents successfully opposed a similar data center proposal earlier this year.
"I'm very proud of the Chesapeake community coming together and standing up and saying, 'no, this is something that we don't want'. I'm also very proud of the Chesapeake government for actually listening to their people," Doughty remarked.
Doughty hopes for similar results in Newport News and plans to address city leadership when appropriate opportunities arise.
"It's not just us that will be impacted," Doughty concluded. "It's our children and our children's children, and the environment and nature around us."
