New Administrator Outlines Data Center, Housing, Tax Priorities
TL;DR: Kevin Catlin, Chesterfield's new county administrator, outlined his focus on advancing the county's data center ambitions, addressing housing diversity, and managing tax policy amid fluctuating state and federal funding.
Quick facts
- Who: Kevin Catlin, 35, newly appointed Chesterfield County administrator
- What: New administrator discusses data center expansion, housing policy, and tax management priorities
- When: June 22, 2026 (announcement and remarks)
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Kevin Catlin, 35, has been named Chesterfield County's next administrator, making him the first Black person to hold the position. Coming from Kalamazoo County, Michigan, where he served as county administrator, Catlin officially begins work on August 24 with a salary of $390,000. In his introductory remarks, he outlined three core priorities that will shape county policy: data center expansion, housing diversity, and fiscal stewardship in an uncertain budget environment.
On data centers, a transformative issue for Chesterfield, Catlin emphasized the need for public education on the topic. "Whether it's health implications, whether it's zoning implications, and whether it's the community itself in terms of residents wanting a development like that," he said, the county must ensure residents understand the trade-offs before decisions are made. This comes as Google advances plans for a $9 billion investment anchored by three data center campuses across 1,500 acres in the county, with the first campus (Project Peanut) set to locate in Chester on Bermuda Hundred Road. The county's data center tax incentive strategy, which cut equipment tax rates beginning in 2019, has been credited with securing Google's commitment.
On housing, Catlin identified the full spectrum of housing needs, from market-rate and subsidized units to services for people experiencing homelessness. Chesterfield has been selected for a national program to increase housing supply and is working through zoning reforms that allow denser housing types like apartments and duplexes on smaller lots, which planners say supports affordability more broadly. The Maggie Walker Community Land Trust has completed 10 permanently affordable homes in the county with 24 more in the pipeline.
On taxes, Catlin flagged a significant challenge: sustaining county services as state and federal funding becomes less predictable. The Board of Supervisors has cut the real estate tax rate for four consecutive years, bringing it to 89 cents per $100 of assessed value, the lowest in modern history. The county balances these reductions with maintaining investment in education and public safety; the FY2026 general fund budget of $1.04 billion dedicates more than 75 percent to those areas plus infrastructure.
Key players
- Kevin Catlin: Chesterfield County Administrator (starting August 24, 2026; first Black person to hold the position)
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: County governing body overseeing budget and policy priorities
- Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority: Organization driving data center recruitment strategy
Key dates
- 2026-08-24: Kevin Catlin officially begins role as Chesterfield County Administrator
- 2027-08: New high school in western Route 360 corridor scheduled to open
The case for
Data center expansion promises job creation, economic growth, and a strengthened commercial tax base that can stabilize or reduce residential tax burdens. Google's $9 billion investment represents a major economic anchor, and the county's proven strategy of tax incentives for data center equipment appears validated by that success. Housing diversity efforts, paired with zoning reforms that allow more units per acre, can address workforce affordability in a tight market. Four consecutive years of real estate tax cuts without severe service reductions show the county has found fiscal room to invest in schools and public safety while also rewarding property owners.
The case against
Data center expansion raises community concerns about infrastructure strain (roads, utilities, environmental impacts), potential health implications from equipment, and disruption to rural character in some areas. The Planning Commission has already recommended against rezoning for a proposed Denver-based data center campus, citing traffic concerns. Housing policy initiatives are incremental against a broader regional affordability crisis. Tax rate reductions, while popular, rely heavily on business investment growth to fund schools and services; if economic conditions shift or data center development slows, the county may face difficult choices between keeping rates low and maintaining service levels.
Why it matters: Catlin's priorities signal the county's path forward during a period of rapid economic change. Data center policy will determine how much development happens and where, affecting traffic, property values, and community character. Housing decisions will shape whether the county becomes more or less accessible to teachers, workers, and families in the middle-income range. Tax strategy will determine whether the county can fund the schools and infrastructure needed to support that growth.
Places
Development timeline
- 2019Chesterfield adopts data center tax incentive strategy: County creates tax rate reductions specifically for data center equipment to attract major prospects [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/06/22/breaking-news-chesterfield-names-new-county-administrator/)
- 2022-2026Real estate tax rate cuts across four fiscal years: Board of Supervisors reduces rate from 95 cents to 89 cents per $100 of assessed value, lowest in modern history [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/5951)
- 2025Google announces $9 billion Virginia investment with Chesterfield anchor: Google confirms plans for three data center campuses across 1,500 acres in Chesterfield County [[source]](https://virginiabusiness.com/google-announces-chesterfield-data-center-as-part-of-9b-investment/)
- 2026-06-22Kevin Catlin named Chesterfield County Administrator: Catlin, first Black person to hold the position, outlines data center, housing, and tax priorities [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/kevin-catlin-chesterfield-administrator-june-22-2026)
- 2026-08-24Kevin Catlin officially assumes role: New administrator begins tenure with salary of $390,000 [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/06/22/chesterfield-leaders-introduce-new-county-administrator/)
Related links
- What new Chesterfield administrator Kevin Catlin thinks about data centers, housing, and taxes
- Chesterfield leaders introduce new county administrator
- Board of Supervisors approves real estate tax rate reduction, adopts fiscal year 2026 budget
- Google announces Chesterfield data center as part of $9B investment
- Chesterfield Selected for National Program to Increase Housing Supply in Urban Counties
- Tackling challenges of housing diversity, affordability is a team effort for Chesterfield
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield Data Center →
Sources
- What new Chesterfield administrator Kevin Catlin thinks about data centers, housing, and taxes
- Chesterfield leaders introduce new county administrator
- Breaking News: Chesterfield names new county administrator
- Board of Supervisors approves real estate tax rate reduction, adopts fiscal year 2026 budget
- Google announces Chesterfield data center as part of $9B investment
- Chesterfield Selected for National Program to Increase Housing Supply in Urban Counties
- Tackling challenges of housing diversity, affordability is a team effort for Chesterfield
- Housing Assistance
- New administrator outlines priorities on growth and taxes