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King and Queen EDA narrows site-study next steps, flags data-center and fusion-plant impacts
Summary
EDA staff said consultants will narrow 10 candidate sites to 3–5; members discussed concerns about water use, possible contamination and noise tied to data centers and a new fusion plant and learned VDACS contacted the county about performance benchmarks for an AFID grant to Premier Tech.
At its Jan. 9 meeting the King and Queen County Economic Development Authority reviewed progress on a county site study and discussed state funding and environmental concerns linked to large-scale projects.
Kelly Evko, a member of the county staff team working with consultant Timmons, told the board she, Vivian Seay, Ms. Sprouse and Chairman George Longest have scheduled a meeting to narrow a list of 10 candidate properties to three to five highest-ranking sites. Evko said the EDA will not make any decision to sell its Route 33 property until the site study is finished and the authority is satisfied any sale would result in development by the buyer.
During the economic development update, members discussed recent announcements about data center projects and a nuclear fusion plant in Chesterfield County. Several members raised concerns about potential water usage, possible contamination and noise impacts associated with such projects; the minutes record these as topics of discussion but do not document technical analysis or mitigation plans.
Evko also circulated VEDA materials, shared the county's 2025 Public Policy Platform and noted that the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has reached out regarding performance benchmarks for an AFID grant awarded to Premier Tech; Evko passed current contact information for Christian Noel at Premier Tech to VDACS and said she will provide updates as the matter progresses.
Staff told the board that FY26 budget requests have been submitted to the county administrator, including a request to make the Economic Development Director position full-time and to fund staff education opportunities. The board received updates on local developments: Hub33 is now open, the PDC moved into space Dec. 23, and Sentara is expected to open soon. The Planning Commission is considering a Comprehensive Plan update and zoning ordinance amendments.
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.; the EDA plans a joint dinner meeting with the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 27 and a Business Appreciation Event on Feb. 6 at Hub33.
