Episode Details

Virginia’s booming data center industry is transforming communities, especially in Southside, by creating thousands of high-paying jobs and fueling local economies through skilled trades and long-term investment. But lawmakers in Richmond are now considering ending tax breaks and adding fees that could derail this growth—potentially costing rural areas their economic lifeline. Since 2010, union workers have built massive facilities and power grids, with construction sites employing up to 1,500 workers at a time. Beyond construction, ongoing maintenance and upgrades provide steady work for electricians and pipefitters, supported by new training centers that offer earn-while-you-learn paths to six-figure salaries and benefits. Tax revenue funds schools, and workers reinvest locally—but if incentives vanish, Virginia risks losing its competitive edge, leaving communities with fewer opportunities.

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