A Freedom of Information Act request by Franklin County residents revealed county officials entered into confidentiality agreements with an unnamed company related to a proposed data center project the local government is currently weighing.
WFXR reported that local residents said they felt left out of the approval process because it appears substantial discussion about the 150-acre project has happened behind the scenes, rather than at public meetings.
The response to the FOIA, obtained by resident Danae Crosby, shows a confidentiality agreement with participating parties’ names redacted except for Economic Development Director Danielle Poe.
The documents reference “Project Flash” and Summit View Business Park, where the data center would be housed if approved.
The large plot of land the project would require has prompted residents’ concerns over local infrastructure and the development’s utility needs.
Transparency in approval processes is the latest issue to emerge in local debates about data centers. The data center industry and its proponents say the projects generate millions in tax revenue for localities.
While Franklin’s data center is not yet reality, county Supervisor Dan Quinn explained that leaders’ behind-the-scenes discussion over projects is sometimes necessary.
“We have closed meetings when companies come to the county and they want to discuss business arrangements, commercial terms,” he told WFXR. “Those meetings are necessarily closed.”
Email Franklin City Council at:
Mayor Paul Kaplan: pkaplan@franklinva.gov,
Vice-Mayor Wynndolyn Copeland: wcopeland@franklinva.gov,
Mark Kitchen (Ward 1): mkitchen@franklinva.gov,
Richard Grizzard (Ward 2): rgrizzard@franklinva.gov,
Gregory McLemore (Ward 3): gmclemore@franklinva.gov,
Linwood Johnson (Ward 4): ljohnson@franklinva.gov,
Jessica Banks (Ward 6): jbanks@franklinva.gov,
