WHO ARE WE?
Hundreds of concerned residents in Goochland and adjacent counties who are fighting back! Despite overwhelming opposition by citizens, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors passed the Technology Overlay District on November 6, 2025. The TOD rolls out the red carpet to attract massive data center development in the West Creek area, with allowances for an experimental NUCLEAR REACTOR and Gas Peaker Plant. SO THE FIGHT HAS BECOME A LEGAL BATTLE!
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?
Thanks to the generous initial donations of citizens across Goochland, Hanover, and Henrico an attorney, Philip Strother, was hired to represent the many concerned citizens whose voices were ignored by Goochland County. Mr. Strother filed a lawsuit on December 4, 2025 charging Goochland County with eight violations of Virginia State code in their passing of the TOD. Goochland County hired the legal firm of Gentry Locke to represent them in this case and moved $250,000 out of the County's General Ledger (taxpayer dollars) to pay for their defense (along with a $100,000 insurance policy coveringa legal costs) for a total of $350,000.
After the County's request for a 3-week extension, Mr. Strother received on February 2, 2026 a 60-page response from Goochland County along with 8,500 pages of legislative records claiming them to be essential to the case. Our legal counsel was not surprised by this response which requests dismissal of the case. Our attorney remains firm in his belief that our case is a strong one.
On May 26, 2026 a hearing was held in the Goochland County Circuit Court on whether the Court would allow the submittal of all 8,500 records. Mr. Strother presented a convincing case questioning the relevance of all 8500 records. The Judge ruled against the County's submittal of all 8,500 records and is requiring the County to submit only those records that are essential. This is a BIG win for us!
WHAT IS NEXT?
A hearing date of October 20, 2026 has been set for the Goochland County Circuit Court to rule on the County's challenge for dismissal of our case.
WHAT ARE THE RED FLAGS?
DATA CENTERS ARE NOT COMING ... THEY ARE HERE! A pre application has been submitted to Goochland County by the developer TRACT to build a 2 million square foot data center campus with 8 buildings on the 900 acres called the Tuckahoe Technology Park. This land (TOD West) was added to the passage of a second revision of the TOD just before the November 6, 2025 vote by the Board of Supervisors. This has immediate impact to residential communities such as Mosaic and to the Richmond Country Club. It has long term impact to ALL OF US IN GOOCHLAND COUNTY. Data centers spread once they come in and the strain to utilities and water supply is far reaching across all Goochland districts.
The Valley Link proposal to build large scale transmission lines through Goochland County has immediate impact to our western districts. It is driven by the need to expand utility capabilities and that is driven by DATA CENTERS. If you are against Valley Link, you are also against data centers. What affects one, affects all!
WHAT IS AT RISK?
EVERYTHING!! These massive data centers threaten our QUALITY OF LIFE, OUR HEALTH, AND OUR PROPERTY VALUES. They do not come alone either. Their massive electrical requirements can bring 💣NUCLEAR REACTORS, 💨GAS PEAKER PLANTS, 🔋BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES and MILES OF 🔌TRANSMISSION LINES. This TOD adds additional zoning to include an experimental nuclear reactor known as an SMR. Additionally, they are thirsty giants that WREAK HAVOC WITH 💦WATER SUPPLY. Data centers do not exist solo but, rather, come in MULTIPLES THAT SPREAD LIKE A CANCER💀 and their impact doesn’t recognize district or county boundaries.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
- Imagine the constant hum of diesel generators 24/7. In Loudon County, VA residents reported their children sleep in the basement due to constant noise and light from nearby data centers.
- Think about having to go without water pressure (or any water) for days due to consumption requirements of data centers.
- Contemplate what happens when the lights go out. Data centers take priority when the power grid cannot supply enough electricity for everyone. And residents pay higher rates on electric bills when demand soars (and it will).
- Worry about the threats to your family's health (especially children and the elderly). Radiation leaks can happen from experimental nuclear reactors supporting data centers. Respiratory issues result from air pollutants produced by diesel generators and gas peaker plants.
- Consider the fires from explosive battery storage facilities of data centers. Local fire and rescue services that residents rely on become even more strained.
- Visualize transmission lines cutting across your yards and farms to support the massive electrical needs of data centers.
- Plan on economic consequences if you finally have had enough and decide to move. Selling your home will bring the harsh reality of a diminished property value. No one wants to buy a house next to a data center.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
PLEASE JOIN US BY CONTRIBUTING MONEY NOW TO CONTINUE OUR LEGAL BATTLE AGAINST DATA CENTER GROWTH WITHOUT NECESSARY RESIDENTIAL INPUT AND PROTECTIONS. SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THAT WE EXPECT THEM TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND PRIORITIZE CITIZEN WELFARE OVER UNCHECKED ECONOMIC GROWTH FROM DATA CENTERS. THIS IS A BATTLE TO PROTECT THE CHARACTER AND CULTURE ACROSS ALL OF GOOCHLAND COUNTY AND WE NEED TO STAND UNITED!
ALL FUNDS GO DIRECTLY TO PAY LEGAL FEES. IF YOU PREFER TO CONTRIBUTE BY CHECK, PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO STROTHER LAW FIRM. TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS ON WHERE TO MAIL CHECKS, PLEASE EMAIL:
GoochlandAgainstDataCenters@gmail.com
WE NEED EVERYONE'S SUPPORT!
🌐To learn more:
*Video Interview on Our Reaction to Goochland County Response to Our Lawsuit (February 2026): https://youtu.be/ES_ghUEHfPA
*Video Interview with Lawsuit Updates (December 2025): https://youtu.be/fG5uB7E31ZQ
*Goochland Residents Alliance: Goochland Residents Alliance Link
*Neighbors for Change: https://www.facebook.com/groups/971848147723262/
*Sierra Club Virginia Chapter: Sierra Club
*Misty Roundtree (Henrico County Board of Supervisors-Three Chopt District) addresses the Goochland Board of Supervisors: Watch Misty's Comments
