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Unchecked Data Growth Threatens Western Loudoun
Unchecked Data Growth Threatens Western Loudoun
A Memo from the Mayor
By Bridge Littleton
We live now in a world of rapid, constant change, with Loudoun having been at the center of it for decades.
First, it was 20 years of explosive and unchecked housing growth, and we are now living with the unchecked explosion of data centers. We’re all concerned about the ripple effects of the County’s rapid data center expansion, particularly the mounting pressure it places to expand housing development in our rural western areas.
Data centers have bolstered the county’s tax base—now comprising nearly 23 percent of its $170.5 billion valuation and supplying nearly 40 percent of the tax revenues at $900 million. This growth has unintended consequences that threaten the character and sustainability of towns like Middleburg.
Developers aiming to build affordable housing are often outbid by data center companies offering premium prices for land. The surge in data center construction has driven up property values, with single-family homes in Loudoun increasing by over 45 per cent in the last five years alone. This escalation, coupled with a constrained housing supply, has made it increasingly difficult for middle- and lower-income residents to afford homes.
As eastern Loudoun becomes saturated, housing developers are eyeing western regions, including Middleburg, for expansion. This shift threatens our town’s rural charm and could strain local infrastructure.
The environmental implications are significant. Data centers are energyintensive, consuming over 25 per cent of Virginia’s power in 2023, with projections reaching 46 per cent by 2030 . Their water usage and diesel generator emissions further exacerbate environmental concerns.
In February, I, along with my fellow Loudoun County town mayors, urged the Loudoun Board of Supervisors to apply new, stricter regulations, without grandfathering existing applications, to ensure equitable and limited development.
Middleburg’s identity is rooted in its rural heritage, equestrian culture, and natural beauty. Data centers and right sized housing have a vital role in the future success of Loudoun, but unchecked development of both threatens to erode the unique balance many have fought hard for decades to maintain.
We must weigh economic growth with the preservation of our community’s character and ensure we provide the measured approach.
