In the so-called 鈥渄ata center capital of the world,鈥� Algonkian District Supervisor Juli Briskman told 麻豆官网 she will run for chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in Virginia next year, with a top priority of 鈥渟topping data centers.鈥�
Briskman鈥檚 announcement sets up a potential Democratic primary against current board chair Phyllis Randall, who has held the position for nearly 11 years.
鈥淚鈥檝e been trying to push back on the unconstrained, uncontrolled growth of data centers in the county,鈥� Briskman said during an interview at her home. 鈥淚 think the current chair and current leadership on Loudoun County鈥檚 board of supervisors has been very pro-data center and missing opportunities to have a balance.鈥�
According to Loudoun County鈥檚 , there are 209 completed data center buildings, with more under construction. The county鈥檚 Department of Economic Development says in FY24 totaled $875 million, which is $35 million more than the county鈥檚 general operations budget.
鈥淧eople moved to Loudoun County for our excellent schools, they moved to Loudoun County because they think it鈥檚 a great area to invest in their forever home,鈥� Briskman said. 鈥淎nd these data centers and all the infrastructure that鈥檚 required is really threatening that livability of Loudoun County.鈥�
鈥淟oudouners have been told for years and years that we don鈥檛 have a choice, when it comes to big corporations basically running roughshod over our county,鈥� Briskman said while sitting at her dining room table. 鈥淚 feel that Loudouners are tired of it, and all the commensurate infrastructure that comes with the data centers, and I think Loudoun County is ready for new leadership in that regard.鈥�
Randall has not announced whether she will run for reelection. According to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), a to support a potential Randall run for chair already had more than $76,000 on hand.
Asked to comment about Briskman鈥檚 announcement, Randall told 麻豆官网: 鈥淎nyone has the right to run for public office, and I respect that process. My focus remains on serving the people of Loudoun, addressing the issues in front of us, and continuing the work residents elected me to do.鈥�
Briskman said her vision for data center development in Loudoun differs from Randall鈥檚.
鈥淚 think that if you look at our voting records, the voters will see that my stance on data centers has been consistent. I have consistently voted against rezoning property in Loudoun County to data center use when it should be residential use, flex industrial to help our small businesses, maybe even small manufacturing use,鈥� Briskman said.
Infrastructure projects tied to data center growth remain controversial, including a proposed rural transmission line project in rural parts of the county.
鈥淧JM and Dominion have planned power lines in our community without engaging our community,鈥� Briskman said. 鈥淣ow we find out they鈥檙e planning to put these five hundred kilowatt power lines through people鈥檚 backyards.鈥�
Randall said, 鈥淭here will be plenty of time to discuss differences in temperament and governing styles, constituent services, priorities and an honest accounting of votes and our records.鈥�
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