Author: semily22

By Emily Southern, science reporter

Botetourt County officials say a proposed Google data center campus could bring long-term financial benefits to the rural county, while some residents remain cautious about how the project may affect land use, infrastructure, and the area’s character.

Google recently purchased more than 312.55 acres in the Botetourt Center at Greenfield, an industrial park located between Daleville and Fincastle along U.S. Route 220. The land purchase followed a multi-year negotiation process and was publicly announced in June through a county press release.

Data centers house the power used to compute power throughout the internet. 

Photo of a data center. Photo by Cameron Davidson

According to the Botetourt County press release — Google is eager to partner with Botetourt County, “‘We are always looking for communities that have the innovative and collaborative leadership necessary to bring complex projects like data center campuses to life, and we are optimistic about the partnership we’ve built so far with Botetourt and the entire Roanoke region,’ said Amber Tillman, Google Head of Data Center Public Affairs, North America. ‘Together, we’re hopeful to help drive economic development across the region and continue to support Botetourt County’s thriving community.’”

According to county officials, the project is still in early planning stages. No construction timeline has been submitted, and formal site plans have not yet been filed with the county. The company is currently completing background studies related to engineering, utilities, and environmental requirements.

County Administrator Gary Larrowe described the scale of the agreement as unprecedented for the county.

“This is something we’ve never seen before in economic development,” Larrowe said.

The county received more than 14 million dollars from the land sale itself, which equates to roughly $45,000 per acre. In addition, Google provided a four million dollar community grant. Combined with other negotiated payments, the total funding associated with the project currently stands at approximately 18 million dollars.

Larrowe said the agreement was structured as a three-party arrangement involving Google, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors and the county’s Economic Development Authority. The agreement outlines how the funds may be used and establishes long-term taxation terms tied to equipment and infrastructure once the data center becomes operational.

County officials say the immediate funding has allowed Botetourt to accelerate projects that were previously listed on the county’s capital improvement plan but lacked sufficient financing.

Among those projects are three new ambulances valued at $1.1 million, upgrades to the county library system, a new community center, advanced body camera systems for sheriff’s deputies and financial contributions toward new fire trucks, including the county’s first new ladder truck.

“This is something we’ve never seen before in economic development.”

Larrowe said that without the Google funding, many of these projects would have required long-term borrowing or higher local taxes.

“If we had to finance those, you’re talking about a massive amount of financing into the future,” Larrowe said.

While officials highlight financial benefits, community reaction has been mixed. Some residents have raised concerns about transparency, land preservation, and the long-term implications of hosting a large-scale data center in a rural area.

Robin Reed, a Botetourt County resident for 18 years and a professor of practice at Virginia Tech’s School of Communication, owns an 11-acre pumpkin farm in Fincastle. Reed said he first became aware of the possibility of a data center through local speculation before the official announcement.

“The rumor mill was in place well before the official announcement,” Reed said.

Reed said that once the project became public, some residents reacted strongly, particularly those concerned about farmland and outside development.

“The immediate feedback was, ‘Oh, we lost more farmland,’” Reed said.

Reed noted that the site is located within an existing industrial park and that Google purchased land that was already zoned for industrial use. According to Larrowe, zoning regulations limit data center development to that area of the county. The area is mostly secluded. 

Aerial view of the land purchased by Google. Photo by Botetourt County.

“This is the only place in the county where you could actually have a data center,” Larrowe said.

One concern frequently raised by residents involves water and power usage. Data centers require substantial electricity and cooling systems, which Reed said are at the center of much of the debate.

“It’s really simple. It’s water and power. It’s nothing more than that,” Reed said.

Reed and his wife have attended meetings with the regional water authority and power companies to learn more about the project’s potential impacts.

“We’ve been going to meetings with the Regional Water Authority and learning about what they have,” Reed said.

According to county officials, Google will fund necessary upgrades to water and power infrastructure. Larrowe said planning and construction will be handled by the appropriate utility authorities rather than the county itself.

“It’s the water authority that does that, and the same thing with AEP on the power side,” Larrowe said.

Another point of debate involves employment. While construction is expected to bring a temporary influx of workers, data centers typically employ relatively few full-time staff once operational.

“I don’t think data centers need that many employees,” Reed said. “Once the computers are running, they’re running.”

Larrowe said the limited number of permanent employees could reduce secondary impacts such as traffic and housing demand which he imagines many residents worry about. 

“If you ended up having multiple companies on this site, you could have had more than a thousand employees,” Larrowe said. “Relative to that, we may end up seeing 10 or 15% of that.”

Reed said some residents question whether the project offers enough direct economic opportunity, but he noted that tax revenue remains the primary benefit. Skepticism also remains among residents who question the intent behind Google’s financial contributions.

“There’s always unintended consequences to this kind of a deal,” Reed said. “You think you know what’s going to happen, but sometimes it doesn’t always work out that way.”

Larrowe said public understanding will continue to evolve as more information becomes available.

In addition to county officials and residents, regional planning documents show that data centers have become an increasingly common form of development across Virginia, particularly in areas with access to major transmission lines and industrial zoning. 

Local officials say Botetourt County’s location along U.S. Route 220 and its existing industrial infrastructure made the Greenfield site attractive for large-scale investment. County leaders have emphasized that no additional land has been rezoned for similar projects and that future proposals would require separate approval processes.

According to Botetourt County’s press release, “‘Google’s selection of Botetourt County as home for its newest data center campus would be a testimony to the massive potential our county holds,’ said Botetourt County Supervisor Vice Chair Dr. ‘Mac’ Scothorn. ‘This type of endorsement from one of the largest companies in the world speaks volumes about Botetourt’s ability to meet the technical challenges of the coming decades, which is great news for all Botetourt residents.’”

Aerial view of the land purchased by Google. Photo by Botetourt County.

County leaders also point to long-term tax revenue as a potential benefit once the data center becomes operational.

“That is one of the things that we’re hopeful for and are planning for,” Larrowe said.

Reed said he remains cautiously supportive of the project while acknowledging remaining unknowns.

“I think that the data center is the most dynamic, an interesting thing to happen to Botetourt in a very long time,” Reed said. “I’m always concerned, but I think this will be a positive thing to happen.”

For now, the land remains undeveloped as planning continues. County officials say public input opportunities will continue as the project progresses through permitting and review stages.

Whether the data center reshapes Botetourt County’s economic future or remains a single industrial development, it has already prompted broader discussion about growth, infrastructure and the county’s long-term direction.

By Eli Lamport, Sage Mayhew, and Emily Southern, science reporters

Julia Bosset collapsed during her high school basketball tryouts at just 15 years old — she never expected to experience sudden cardiac arrest, a condition that can strike anyone at any age. Now a college junior studying advertising, Julia shares her story of survival and purpose. In this interview, she reflects on what she remembers from that day, how her perspective on life has changed, and why she’s passionate about raising awareness through the on-campus club she’s a part of.

By: Emily Southern, science reporter

After President Trump’s recent claim linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, public conversations about autism are increasing, but not always in a constructive way. 

Autism is a neurological developmental disability that affects millions, and the language we use matters. 

Featuring insight from Nathaniel Porter, a social data scientist at Virginia Tech and disability advocate, and Ashdon Sigmon, a mother and autism advocate, we explore why education, empathy, and curiosity are key to better conversations. 

Emily Southern, science reporter

A recent statement by President Donald Trump suggesting a link between Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and autism has sparked concern among families, medical experts, and the autism community. In this video, we speak with Ashdon Sigmon, a Rocky Mount mother of a nonverbal autistic child, and Nathaniel Porter, a social science data consultant at Virginia Tech, autistic adult, and father of three autistic children.

Together, they break down the emotional, scientific, and social impact of such claims, from how they influence public perception, to the pressure they place on parents.

By Milana Waller, arts and culture writer

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Business instructor Josiah Showalter has created a well-loved persona for himself known as “Judge on a Scooter”. 

Showalter rides a maroon Honda scooter wrapped in the university’s logo around Virginia Tech’s campus. His chosen mode of transportation is not only effective, but instantly recognizable by many Tech students, especially those in the Pamplin College of Business.

In addition to his scooter, Showalter is known for his signature bowtie and oval glasses. Students often spot him at Gillie’s, where he has breakfast every Sunday with his wife, and Weight Club, where he exercises regularly.

Showalter has also gained a following online. His Instagram account, with more than 3,000 followers, features educational and campus related content. During finals week last semester, he interviewed his students and quizzed them on class material as a method for review.

As Judge on a Scooter, Showalter is best known by his business law students, though his charism and authenticity has spread across campus. He even has his own merchandise, with t-shirts with the catchphrase: “Can you feel the law?”

Showalter refers to his wife affectionately as “Pure Evil” and his two children as “Evil One” and “Evil Two”.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

How long have you been teaching at Virginia Tech and what classes do you currently teach?

I’ve been teaching for 15 years and I teach Business Law. I’ve always taught business law.

When did you first purchase your scooter and what inspired it?

It was a gift to my family from a dear friend. They wrapped it.

How did your nickname as “Judge on a Scooter” emerge?

My son, Evil Two.

You’ve developed a very recognizable brand and persona. Was that intentional or did it occur more naturally?

All natural.

I’m sure you’ve been recognized across campus and in Blacksburg pretty often. What’s it like being such a familiar face?

And I’m not. I mean, every now and then people will say, “Oh!”. It’s primarily the scooter. It’s not me. My wife does. Pure evil, my wife.

Do you ever get recognized at Weight Club?

I would say maybe every now and then. But a lot of students, not because of the Instagram page but because of the students.

Can you recall any instances with any students that told you that your presence made an impact or a difference?

It’s really moved me the people that have said that I’ve impacted their life.

What positive impacts do you hope to bring to the student body?

Instagram. I was never gonna do it and toyed with the idea because all of you young people are on social media whether its Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat. Last year, the way that the spring semester spring break landed, it was right before an exam. My son suggested, “Why don’t you start an Instagram page?” So I mentioned it in class and one of my TA’s got four or five emails asking if I was going to do it for a review. It’s primarily for education. If you look at the ones during the week, they’re educational. They help to review the concepts we learned in class and my grades went up this past semester. I love that, so that’s good.

Do you think the reels encourage people to study harder?

It gave them an opportunity to review. I didn’t give them all the answers in terms of the questions, but it let them know where I was looking. That started in March. I started that.

Do you have a social media team that runs your Instagram?

My son, Evil Two, and my daughter, Evil One. They collaborated and my wife, Pure Evil, sometimes has a little part in it. But, my son just started law school. He’s not here so I have my adopted Evil Three and Four. They help me out and they are wonderful. 

What overall impact do you hope that your scooter rides bring to the student body?

I hope that everybody realizes, and this is what I tell my class: the law impacts everything that you do. I mean, could you feel it when we went to Bollo’s, the law? I mean, seriously, could you feel the law? Because we did. I entered into an implied contract when I bought our coffee. Exceptions, consideration, legality, capacity. It was all there, you know? Think about it.

Are you trying to provide more real world context for students?

Absolutely.

If you could give one piece of advice to Virginia Tech students, what would it be?

I told my kids this every day and I tell my students this because Tech students are the best students. Do your best. Be happy.

Showalter enjoys a cup of Bollo’s house coffee.