The Pittsylvania County Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors deny a proposed data center in Chalk Level during a meeting that lasted nearly five hours. Balico, LLC wants to build a world-class data center campus, which includes a dedicated power source, in the Banister District.

Balico’s rezoning application requested that around 750 acres be rezoned to M-2, Industrial. The parcels would be home to a total 12 data centers, grouped in two clusters of six, as well as turbines that will initially generate 300 or more megawatts of gas-fired power to support the centers.

The company said the investment would represent millions of dollars in annual tax revenue for the county as well as nearly 400 jobs. Several citizens in Pittsylvania County spoke against the proposed project last night. 

The proposed project will be voted on by the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors on February 18th.