Virginia’s Budget Battle and Data Center Divide | Roanoke News

Virginia narrowly averted a government shutdown as its budget was finalized just before the new fiscal year began, echoing past budget standoffs under Governor Tim Kaine. Meanwhile, rural counties like Botetourt are resisting new data centers and solar farms—despite being traditionally Republican—linking the debate to growing concerns over AI infrastructure. While some areas ban these projects outright, others see blue-collar job growth in supply chains, like a cooling plant that tripled its workforce. Governor Abigail Spanberger and Senate President Louise Lucas clashed publicly over tax incentives, with Spanberger securing an electricity consumption tax for data centers while Lucas kept the issue alive. The fallout could hurt Virginia’s business reputation, as one data center firm reportedly pulled out of a county over the dispute. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ca47cfea81f3b476