Balico gas power plant and data center campus near Chatham
Balico wanted a large gas power plant and many data centers near Chatham. After strong pushback about pollution, noise and traffic, it pulled its plan twice. The company said it might build homes instead.
Where things stand: Balico withdrew its rezoning request twice, most recently in April 2025.
🕒 Latest update (April 14, 2025): Balico withdrew its second, smaller request (750 acres, up to 12 data centers) before a public hearing.
What we know
- 📍 WhereChatham area, Pittsylvania County, Pittsylvania County
- 🏢 CompanyBalico
- 🌳 Size2,233 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs3,500 megawatts (about as much as 2,800,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromA new 3,500-megawatt gas power plant on site
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Has Balico filed any new plan for the Chatham land? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Nov 4, 2024Balico withdrew its first rezoning request (about 2,233 acres, 84 buildings) days before a planning commission vote. County staff had recommended denial.
- April 14, 2025Balico withdrew its second, smaller request (750 acres, up to 12 data centers) before a public hearing.
Local votes and rules
🗺️ Zoning change
Supervisors unanimously rezoned the Southern Virginia Mega Site at Berry Hill so data centers that meet the code can be built by right, without public hearings. Some residents objected.
✋ Turned down
Supervisors voted 6-1 to deny Balico's rezoning of about 750 acres near Chatham for a data center campus and gas power plant. Earlier the same night they voted 5-2 not to let Balico withdraw the request.
🗺️ Zoning change
Supervisors unanimously rezoned about 946 acres in Ringgold to heavy industrial (M-2) for Anchorstone Advisors' planned data center campus of $1 billion or more.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- Data center proposal in Pittsylvania withdrawn, for now · Cardinal News · Nov 4, 2024
- Company withdraws data center proposal, residents express skepticism · WDBJ · April 14, 2025
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