Upon entering Loudoun County, Virginia, visitors are often immediately struck by a distinctive, pervasive hum. This omnipresent soundscape is the audible manifestation of the county’s 199 data centers, running continuously in the background.

Loudoun County, an often-overlooked region in northern Virginia that holds the distinction of being the wealthiest county in the United States, unexpectedly found itself in the global spotlight earlier this week. The reason for its sudden prominence was a massive worldwide Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage, which brought critical digital infrastructure to a halt, disrupting everything from crucial banking services to popular Snapchat streaks for millions across the globe.

This is due to the county’s unparalleled concentration of data storage and processing facilities, an expansive infrastructure that now surpasses even China’s considerable digital footprint to claim the world’s largest.

Data centers, purpose-built facilities housing vast computer systems, serve as the indispensable backbone for the internet and artificial intelligence, thereby enabling global connectivity.

Though these operations have proven immensely profitable, generating billions for the local economy, some residents now question the true value, arguing that the associated costs have become unacceptably high.

Loudoun County has earned the distinctive moniker “Data Center Alley,” a testament to its extensive digital infrastructure. The region hosts approximately 200 facilities, collectively occupying some 45 million square meters.

Here are a few options, maintaining a clear, journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Direct and impactful):**
Data centers within the county represent a significant demand on resources, occupying 3% of its total land area and consuming a substantial 40% of its budget.

**Option 2 (Focus on allocation):**
The county allocates a considerable portion of its resources to data centers, dedicating 3% of its land and a notable 40% of its overall budget to these facilities.

**Option 3 (Concise and assertive):**
Claiming 3% of the county’s total land area and a hefty 40% of its budget, data centers constitute a major presence in the region.

**Option 4 (Highlighting the scale):**
A substantial 40% of the county’s budget, alongside 3% of its total land, is dedicated to supporting its data centers.

Work is actively underway on a series of additional facilities, with their introduction anticipated in the near future.

Earlier this year, a serene stroll through her picturesque Virginia neighborhood with her newborn son took an abrupt turn for Emily Kasabian when she encountered something on the road that immediately seized her attention.

Here are a few options, maintaining a clear, journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Direct & Factual):**
“A public sign now advertises the proposed development of a data center, slated for construction directly across the street.”

**Option 2 (Emphasizing the Announcement):**
“Plans for a new data center across the street have been unveiled via a recently erected sign, signaling the project’s proposal phase.”

**Option 3 (Concise & Impactful):**
“A sign has appeared, announcing a proposed data facility set to occupy the property directly opposite.”

**Option 4 (Focus on the Proximity):**
“Local residents are now aware of a prospective data center planned for the building site just across the thoroughfare, indicated by a new sign.”

Two years ago, Ms. Kasabian acquired her home, expressing considerable relief at its distance from the burgeoning data centers that have increasingly characterized other areas of the county. She further noted that the very absence of such industrial facilities in their immediate vicinity was a key reason many of her neighbors also chose to settle there.

A local resident expressed profound disappointment and regret over the construction of a new data center directly opposite her home. She stated she “never thought” such a facility would be built there, emphasizing that she would not have purchased her property had she been aware of the impending development across the street.

Opposition to sprawling industrial facilities, exemplified by data centers that can span 100,000 square feet and transform entire streets into monolithic blocks, stems not only from their overwhelming visual presence but also from a range of associated adverse effects.

A stark contrast now defines the view from Greg Pirio’s home in Loudoun County. Just 13 years ago, when he purchased his property, the plot of land bordering his front door was a vibrant expanse of green trees and chirping birds. Today, that natural vista has been replaced by a colossal, bright blue data center constructed from concrete and glass, situated mere steps from his residence.

He currently confronts the immediate, real-time impacts stemming from the facility. Chief among these effects, and his most significant grievance, is the pervasive issue of noise pollution.

A local resident reports a notable absence of birds in the area, attributing the decline to a persistent humming or buzzing noise. He suggests this sound, emanating from a nearby facility, acts as a deterrent that drives away much of the local wildlife.

Here are a few options, maintaining a clear, journalistic tone:

**Option 1:**
Compounding the prevalent noise concerns, local residents have also voiced considerable frustration regarding their escalating electricity bills.

**Option 2:**
Beyond the persistent issue of noise, community members are increasingly agitated by the sharp rise in their utility costs.

**Option 3:**
Grappling with ongoing noise pollution, inhabitants of the area are additionally expressing dismay over their soaring household power expenses.

**Option 4:**
In addition to addressing acoustic disturbances, residents are now confronting the added burden of dramatically increasing electricity charges.

A Bloomberg News investigation has uncovered a staggering surge in wholesale electricity costs, with prices soaring by up to 267% over the past five years in areas adjacent to data centers.

Despite considerable local opposition to data centers, as highlighted by BBC interviews, the industry boasts powerful champions, notably US President Donald Trump.

Data centers are foundational to the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry, a sector former President Donald Trump has previously identified as critical for U.S. global leadership.

Here are a few options for paraphrasing the text, maintaining a clear, journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Direct and Strong):**
“The administration has declared its intention to fast-track federal permits for data center infrastructure, a move it believes will usher in ‘a golden age’ for American manufacturing and technology.”

**Option 2 (Focus on Intent):**
“Officials state that the administration will expedite federal approvals for data center development, aiming to cultivate a new era of prosperity for U.S. manufacturing and technology.”

**Option 3 (Concise):**
“To spark ‘a golden age’ for American manufacturing and technology, the administration plans to accelerate federal permitting for data center construction.”

**Option 4 (Slightly more formal):**
“The government has committed to streamlining federal authorization for data center infrastructure, an initiative it asserts will create a thriving period for domestic manufacturing and technological advancement.”

Data centres are powerful economic catalysts, profoundly impacting both local communities and state-level finances. In Virginia, for example, a state audit reveals the industry annually generates approximately 74,000 jobs, contributing a substantial $5.5 billion (£4 billion) in labor income to the state’s economy.

Around a decade ago, Loudoun County stood out as one of the initial regions to recognize the promise of this emerging sector and actively invest in its expansion.

Developers quickly recognized the area’s inherent advantages for data center development. Its abundant, level terrain and economically viable land proved to be a decisive factor in its selection.

Local officials swiftly aligned with the development initiatives, subsequently granting the necessary approvals for tech giants like Amazon and Google to break ground on their new facilities.

Here are a few options, maintaining a clear, journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Focus on advantage):**
“Adding to its advantages, the area possessed the crucial talent pool necessary to establish a headquarters for the burgeoning industry.”

**Option 2 (Focus on suitability):**
“A decisive factor in the area’s potential to host a new industry’s headquarters was its ready access to the appropriate talent.”

**Option 3 (More direct and punchy):**
“Crucially, the region also boasted the skilled workforce essential for anchoring the headquarters of a rapidly expanding industry.”

Northern Virginia became a natural epicenter for data center development due to its pivotal role in the internet’s early expansion, cybersecurity expert Thomas Hyslip explained. The region, notably home to internet giant AOL, cultivated a rich talent pool, which in turn streamlined and facilitated the establishment of these essential data infrastructure sites.

Despite the rapid expansion witnessed by this industry since the dawn of the 21st century, regulatory oversight concerning its various facilities has remained conspicuously limited.

Here are a few options, maintaining a clear, journalistic tone:

**Option 1 (Concise):**
> Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin earlier this year vetoed state legislation that sought to regulate specific facilities.

**Option 2 (Slightly more descriptive):**
> In a move earlier this year, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin rejected a state bill that would have imposed new regulations on various centers.

**Option 3 (Emphasizing the executive action):**
> Earlier this year, Virginia’s Governor, Glenn Youngkin, utilized his executive power to veto a state measure proposing the regulation of certain establishments.

Dan Diori, Vice President of State Policy for the Data Center Coalition, an industry advocacy organization, stressed that the data center sector must bolster its public relations efforts. He emphasized the crucial need for companies to clearly articulate the benefits of these facilities while also actively listening to and addressing public concerns. Despite advocating for improved communication and responsiveness, Diori contended that more stringent regulation is not required.

Speaking on the enduring significance of digital infrastructure, [the speaker] underscored that data centers are an indispensable component of the modern world. He emphasized that these facilities constitute, and will remain, the vital “backbone” of the 21st-century economy.

Nevertheless, residents like Barbara Day challenge the premise that communities must choose between economic vitality and a desirable quality of life.

She emphasized that data centers are being erected at a velocity that has outstripped the comprehension of their broader implications, compelling a reactive effort to address the fallout.

By August 2025, the United States’ digital infrastructure was experiencing a significant surge, with market reports indicating a national total of more than 1,100 operational data centers. This extensive network was set for further expansion, as nearly 400 new facilities were actively under construction across the country.

Ms. Kasabian and her fellow activists are actively working to diminish those figures. Their strategy involves pressing state and local legislatures to implement delays or temporary suspensions for various projects.

Uncontrolled development is actively undermining the very essence of what makes this a desirable place to reside, according to [Speaker’s Name]. She cautioned that if this encroachment persists without a substantial course correction, the community will soon face the dire consequences of a diminished quality of life.

A mother of two is grappling with the likely prospect of defeat in her campaign, as data centers are poised to materialize directly across the street from her idyllic suburban neighborhood. Should this occur, her family would be confronted with the difficult and unavoidable decision to relocate.

The core dilemma revolves around whether to remain in the county, particularly given the uncertainty that similar challenges might arise if a relocation were to occur.

The accompanying video was produced by Meiying Wu.