The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors convened on October 28, 2024, to address several pressing issues, with a significant focus on the proposed data center project on Page Road. The meeting featured public comments that highlighted community concerns regarding the project and its implications for local residents.

Kenneth Hatcher, a resident from the 5th District, urged the board to delay their final decision on the data center until after the Joint Locality Oversight Committee (JLOC) report is released on December 9. He emphasized the need for the supervisors to engage with their constituents to gauge public sentiment about the data center and its potential benefits to the county. Hatcher pointed out that Powhatan County ranks in the top 10 percent for real estate taxes as a percentage of household income, suggesting that the board should consider the financial implications of residential versus commercial developments.

Following Hatcher, Mike Hall, a long-time resident of Page Road, expressed his opposition to the data center. He noted that the Planning Commission had already voted against the project and urged the board to respect that decision. Hall criticized the applicant's ongoing attempts to sway the board in favor of the project, suggesting that such efforts undermine the community's voice.

The discussions during the meeting underscored a growing tension between development proposals and community interests, particularly regarding the balance of commercial and residential taxation in Powhatan County. The board's next steps will likely involve further consideration of public feedback and the forthcoming JLOC report, which may influence their final decision on the data center project.