As Google prepares to build three massive data center campuses in Chesterfield, it’s making its biggest public outreach effort yet.
Why it matters: With county approvals in hand, its next battle is earning trust as residents call for more transparency.
Catch up quick: Google’s $9 billion Virginia expansion includes Project Peanut in Chester, now under construction.
- The company is still working through state and federal permitting for the two other Chesterfield sites: Projects Skye and Loch.
The latest: After years of behind-the-scenes planning, roughly 600 people showed up to Google’s two open houses in western Chesterfield last week.
- Residents bounced between stations staffed by engineers, consultants and Google representatives, with displays explaining water use, electricity costs, air quality and noise.
What they’re saying: “I’m not here to change anybody’s mind,” Google public affairs manager Clay Allsop told Axios. “I’m just here to provide the facts.”…