PointOne pitches data center project, seeks tax classification and development agreement from Charles City County

Don Pollard, vice president of portfolio development for PointOne Data Centers, and Steve Russell, director of development for PointOne, told the Charles City County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21 that the company has submitted a site plan and needs the county to move quickly on tax classification, permitting and a development agreement to keep the project viable.

PointOne presented the board with a list of priorities, starting with creation of "a data center category" in the county's tangible personal property tax code so the project can be competitive within the Greater Richmond market. The developers said they expect to pay all development costs themselves and that tax treatment will affect potential tenants' decisions.

"My name is Don Pollard, and I'm with PointOne Data Centers. I'm vice president of portfolio development with the company," Pollard said, explaining the company submitted its site plan package to the community development office on or about Sept. 10.

The developers asked the county to provide, within 10 working days, a staffing/contacts list identifying who the developer should work with on each of the outstanding items and requested that key items be in place "by about the February," so they can meet prospective tenants' schedules and begin site work. Steve Russell said the site plan submission "contemplates 6 buildings." The company told the board it expects to be ready to start grading in March 2026 if administrative and legislative steps proceed on the timetable discussed.

A central operational issue raised at the meeting concerned third‑party plan review and inspection costs. Pollard and Russell said technical plan reviews have been routed to outside civil consultants and that billing procedures have shifted: the developers were told they would receive and pay invoices directly from third‑party reviewers such as Timmons, rather than the county contracting and billing them. The developers asked for transparent cost estimates and the ability to negotiate or review those costs before paying large sums.

County staff said the use of third‑party consultants is necessary given the volume and technical complexity of the plans and indicated they will consult legal counsel and prepare a list of county contacts to discuss next steps. One county official told the board the site plan review is proceeding but that other steps — including any change to tax classification and a development agreement that would formalize responsibilities for reviews, inspections and costs — require additional work and coordination.

Pollard emphasized long lead times for critical equipment needed in data centers and urged that timelines be respected: "Some of those items are as much as 2 and 3 years out as far as ordering." He and Russell also described community engagement plans and said PointOne and its tenants often make workforce and community investments, though specific tenant commitments were not disclosed.

Board members asked staff to consult with counsel and to prepare materials for the next regular meeting. No formal vote was taken. The developers said they would make themselves available for continuing conversations and requested prioritized attention because tenant schedules and equipment lead times make timing critical.

The discussion produced these near‑term items for the board and staff: staff will consult legal counsel about contracting and billing for third‑party reviews; staff will supply a list of departmental contacts for the developer within about 10 working days; and the county and developer will work toward a draft development agreement that spells out responsibilities for third‑party costs, permit reviews and inspection administration. The board did not adopt or approve any ordinance or tax change during the meeting.

PointOne and county staff agreed to return with more detailed timelines and legal recommendations at a future board meeting.