INSIDE Ready for the Zombie apocalypse? If not, the county Parks and Rec department wants to help. > page 8
Volume 60, Number 2 • January 9, 2014
West Creek site identified as prime data center spot
Let the robot wars begin!
Area’s selection by Dominion based on access to fiber network, topography among other factors By Roslyn Ryan Editor
A 199-acre site in Goochland has been certified by Dominion Virginia Power as a premier data center location, offering the county another asset to spur economic development. The site, located in the West Creek Business Park, was selected after a study by the Timmons Group determined the site has the appropriate space, topography and geology to support the needs of a potential data center, as well as access to a robust fiber network, large capacity water and sewer service and an excellent transportation network. “These factors, and especially highly reliable, low-cost electric service, are essential for companies in the process of siting and developing data centers,” Dickson said Paul Koonce, chief operating officer of Dominion Virginia Power. “Virginia is one of the most active data center markets in the nation because we meet these requirements exceptionally well. In fact, there are already dozens of data centers in Virginia and 70 percent of the internet traffic in the U.S. runs through our backyard.” Commending West Creek developAlvarez ers for seeking the certification, county administrator Rebecca Dickson said she was pleased with what the designation will offer West Creek, a development that includes Capital One, Performance Food Group, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. “West Creek Business Park being named a certified data center serves to enhance the visibility and marketabilsee Data center > 2
Contributed Photo
On Jan. 4, members of the Junkyard Dogs robotics team from Goochland High School picked up technical components to compete in this year’s FIRST Robotics Competition. Teams have six weeks to figure out how to design and build remote-controlled robots capable of fetching and tossing large inflatable exercise balls through goals. In the process, participants learn real-world job skills and are eligible for more than $18 million in scholarships. Shown are, from left, seated, Will Glaveskas, Max Spivey, Lindzea Franklin, Josh Hobbs, Henry Carscadden, Jake Liesfeld and Hunter Glaveskas, and, standing, Scott Spivey, “Doc” Davies, Brian Davies, Chris Mann, Aaron Early, John Julock, Adeeb Hamzey and Zachary Herbert.
Talking the talk— and earning big money students will have the opportunity to test their oratorical skills in the hopes of winning thousands in college scholarships. For the first time in 20 years, the American Legion Oratorical Contest will be By Roslyn Ryan held in Goochland, offering Editor all county students under age 20 a chance to demonstrate They’ve learned the U.S. Constitution backwards not only their understandand forwards. They’ve practiced their projection and ing and appreciation of the perfected their posture. They’ve stocked up on throat Constitution, but also their lozenges, just in case. poise, composure and grace And on Saturday, a group of Goochland County see Contest > 4
County students to take part in American Legion Oratorical Contest Saturday