economic development
County Halts New Data Center Proposals While Google Projects Advance
Chesterfield County tightened zoning rules in 2026 to require conditional use permits and public hearings for new data centers, effectively halting additional proposals while three previously approved Google projects continue, with one already under construction.
Chesterfield Board signals end to data center approvals
Chesterfield Board signals shift toward blocking new data center projects, with one supervisor open to a formal moratorium as the county grapples with resident opposition and Google's expansion plans.
Chesterfield launches data center website amid transparency demands
Chesterfield County launched a data center informational website on July 23, 2026, to address months of resident demands for transparency about Google's proposed $9 billion investment in multiple hyperscale data center campuses across the county.
Parents Raise Concerns on Google Data Center Near School
WRIC 8News reports that Chesterfield County parents are raising concerns about air, water and noise pollution from a Google data center planned near Deep Creek Middle School, one of three campuses totaling about 1,540 acres.
Chesterfield Taps Data Centers to Diversify Tax Base, Ease Homeowner Burden
Chesterfield County is pursuing data centers, particularly Google's $3 billion-plus investment, to shift the tax burden from homeowners to businesses and diversify its historically residential-heavy tax base.
Lifelong Sports Passion Shapes Chesterfield Events Leader
Matt Mullen, Chesterfield County's assistant director for sports and events, draws on his lifelong sports passion and six years of experience in sports tourism to shape the county's athletic programs and attract major events.
Chesterfield Pauses Data Center Expansion
Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors signaled they will not approve new data center projects beyond Google's three approved campuses, citing infrastructure constraints and community concerns.
Google Proposes 11 Data Centers Across Chesterfield County
Google is proposing to build 11 hyperscale data centers across three campuses totaling about 1,540 acres in Chesterfield County, with residents raising concerns about water usage, noise, and energy costs at ongoing community meetings.
County data center project halted amid legal challenges
Chesterfield County's proposed data center project near I-95 is on hold after the county's Board of Zoning Appeals rejected the developer's vesting rights claim on June 3, 2026, forcing the dispute to circuit court.
Five-Term Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland Dies
Jim Holland, the longest-serving member of Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors who represented the Dale District for five consecutive terms, died October 14 at age 73 following a battle with cancer.
County Administrator Casey Reflects on Chesterfield's Shifting Demographics
Retiring County Administrator Joe Casey describes a dramatic demographic shift in Chesterfield County, where households with school-aged children have fallen from roughly 70 percent to 27 percent in a generation, driven by aging population and attraction of young professionals without families.
New Chesterfield Administrator Catlin Discusses Data Centers, Housing
New county administrator Kevin Catlin takes the helm of Chesterfield amid competing demands around Google's multi-billion-dollar data center expansion, rising housing costs, and fluctuating tax revenue.
Chesterfield Names New County Administrator, Catlin Starts in August
Chesterfield County appointed Dr. Kevin Catlin, currently Kalamazoo County's administrator, to lead the county starting Aug. 24, replacing retiring Dr. Joe Casey.
Google to Invest $9B in Three Chesterfield Data Center Campuses
Google announced a $9 billion investment in three data center campuses spanning about 1,540 acres across Chesterfield County, representing one of the largest corporate infrastructure projects in Virginia's history.
Planning Commission approves master plan for Southside Speedway revival
Chesterfield County Planning Commission approved a master plan for reviving Southside Speedway, clearing the way for a phased reopening of the historic racetrack by late 2027.
Chesterfield County Unemployment Rate: Current Numbers
Chesterfield County's unemployment rate stood at 3.3% in April 2026, up slightly from 2.9% a year earlier, reflecting moderate growth in what remains a strong regional job market.
Advanced Materials Firm Investing $220M in Chesterfield Manufacturing
Solstice Advanced Materials, the newly spun-off Honeywell unit, announced a $220 million expansion at its Colonial Heights manufacturing facility that will create 100 new jobs and strengthen Chesterfield County's advanced manufacturing sector.
Longtime Administrator Joe Casey Announces Retirement
Dr. Joseph P. Casey, Chesterfield County administrator for a decade, announced his retirement effective July 1, 2026, prompting a leadership search by the Board of Supervisors.