I recently attended an AI Center community meeting in Wytheville with Adam where we were floored by the discovery that seven AI data centers had been approved years ago without any public input!  The meeting we attended was to finally purposefully disclose that the AI Data Centers were being built and even the clearing of trees had started. I was inspired to see that Wythe citizens came out with passion and vigor to share their upset about the agreement with local government. 

This experience underscored the critical importance of how local government engages with constituents.  Citizens of Wythe were not warned about the AI Data Center previously and the government officials signed an NDA agreement protecting the company and its agreement. 

 I realized that it was time to start paying attention to my own community, as I learned that Virginia has the highest concentration of AI centers on the globe and Big Tech has its eye on her. We all need to stay informed and engaged!

Last evening’s Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s meeting was a testament to the power of community as it was on full display with anticipation as AI Data Centers were on the agenda. One of the key developments was the Board of Supervisor’s decision to have the Montgomery County Planning and Development team review the potential benefits and risk for data centers in our county. This is an important decision of the Board of Supervisors ensuring that any future proposals will be subject to thorough review and public scrutiny, preventing the kind of backroom deals we saw in Wytheville.

Would this have been achieved without the community coming together? I highly recommend that everyone stay attuned to this development and read up on AI Data Centers. We all need to be informed and understand the safety issues related to AI Data Centers. 

Another major issue addressed was the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) SWAN compressor station. A dedicated group of residents voiced their concerns about the serious safety risks, including air and water pollution, the potential for explosions, and the ongoing problem of Norfolk Southern trains blocking residential crossings for hours on end. These are not just abstract concerns; they are real threats to the health, safety, and daily lives of our community members.

In a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when constituents speak up, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution (5-2) to send a letter to MVP and FERC, asking them to share their environmental report of the hazards to the air and water at the compressor site and to request that the company address the safety issues noted by the citizens including the dangers presented by the trains blocking in citizens before continuing the compressor center build. This is a direct result of the persistent and unified voices in our community.

I am thankful to the community activists who showed up to share their concerns last night.  I know that all of our voices have the power to shape the future of our local community and our county. But we must show up.  Last night was a reminder that when we come together, we can hold our elected officials accountable and act in responsible ways to keep our communities safe and healthy.  If you want to get more involved with either issue, please reach out to the MVP group (Mary Capp 540-597-9674) - about the compressor and Adam Murphy’s campaign (murphy4va@gmail.com)  on the AI Data Center issue. We are keeping a close eye on its development in every place in the 9th District.  Please continue to show up, speak up and make your voice heard.

Yours in compassion and solidarity-

Dispatch RELEASE — December 17th, 2025 — Alexa C