Big tech makes big impact in Botetourt County

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - Big tech is making a big impact in Botetourt County. This week’s Google economic development deal totals over $18 million for the county, being invested back into the community.

Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe says Google actually encouraged the county to reinvest in the community, something they were already planning to do.

That shared goal led to a tri-party agreement between the Board of Supervisors, Google, and the Economic Development Authority.

Basically, Google paid just over $14 million for the land. The company is giving an additional $4 million to the county over the next five years to support a wide range of projects.

So, how is the county planning to use that money?

A big chunk of cash is going toward flexible funding for the public schools. They are also helping provide Fire & EMS with two fire engines, one ladder truck and three ambulances. The money is also going toward helping build a new community events center and renovating the Buchanan Library Branch.

Also, Larrowe says to improve officer safety and accountability, Google is helping fund new body cameras and less-lethal weapons.

Money will also support two tennis courts, four pickleball courts and soccer field lighting at the Botetourt Sports Complex, as well as a new E-911 dispatch center, a future home for the county’s historic museum, and a program to help small businesses grow.

Larrowe says this project is already making a big impact.

“Being about to actually have investments from Google that will end up supporting this community, and it will not have to come off the back of the taxpayer in the community,” Larrowe said. “So, it’s going to end up helping us in a lot of ways. It will also provide opportunities for the future for youth and for families and for development of programs and projects along the way.”

Larrowe says this is a big win for the region and is excited to hit the ground running.

There is now a website dedicated to all the questions surrounding this project. You can find it here.

This all comes as the demand for electricity across Virginia continues to rise, thanks in large part to the rapid growth of data centers. A state report shows electricity use could triple by 2040 if that trend continues.

We also know that Google purchased all the electricity that is expected to be produced by the Rocky Forge Wind project in Botetourt County to help with its data centers.

WDBJ7 reached out to see if that will power the facility, or not, and a Google representative declined to answer at this time.

According to Botetourt County’s website dedicated to this project, “Greenfield already has a dedicated AEP substation that would serve this project. The company and Appalachian Power are working together on any infrastructure improvements needed,” which Google already said it will pay for.