Residents urge transparency and limits as data-center proposals draw scrutiny

Several residents at the Aug. 25 Bedford County Board of Supervisors meeting urged the board to prohibit or tightly regulate proposed data-center projects, criticizing nondisclosure agreements and warning of environmental and community impacts.

"I am here to voice my concern and opposition to the idea of building and operating a data center in Bedford County," said Robert Ashwell during the public-comment period, listing water and electricity demand, noise, short-lived construction jobs and declining nearby property values as key concerns. Multiple speakers echoed his points and urged the board to require full public disclosure of any negotiations.

Carden Koehler, who said he has worked in data centers, told the board he’d seen "mission creep" where facilities expand over time and urged a dedicated county data-center information website to improve transparency. Several speakers referenced a neighboring county's experience with nondisclosure agreements and said Bedford should avoid similar secrecy.

Chair noted that, currently, "our zoning ordinance does not allow data centers in Bedford County," and that any future proposal would require a text amendment to permit the use. Several commenters pressed the board to initiate zoning measures or formal safeguards before proposals are brought forward.