Ongoing story · Updated October 27, 2026
Data centers in Prince William County
As of October 27, residents have announced a petition calling for a pause on data center development in Prince William County and supporting a statewide data center moratorium. This follows the Board of County Supervisors' unanimous September 22 vote to end by-right data center development countywide. Individual proposals remain under review, including new applications for six data centers next to the Four Seasons at Historic Virginia community, which county planning staff found to have "substantial issues and deficiencies."
Key points
The PW Digital Gateway, a massive data center campus proposed next to Manassas National Battlefield Park, is dead after developer QTS dropped its appeal following several defeats in lower courts, Bristow Beat reported July 2.
The Board of County Supervisors deferred the "Project Industry" data center application, which includes a six-acre electric substation meant to sustain the project, according to a September 10 report.
The county Planning Commission recommended ending by-right data centers and downsizing the county's data center district, according to a September 14 report.
On September 22, supervisors unanimously approved a zoning text amendment that ends by-right data center development countywide.
Two developers have submitted new applications for a total of six data centers next to the Four Seasons at Historic Virginia 55-and-over community off Interstate 95. County planning staff cited "substantial issues and deficiencies" in the proposals, according to a September 29 report.
On October 27, Bristow Beat reported that citizens have created a petition seeking a pause on data center development in the county and supporting a statewide data center moratorium.
Questions
Can data centers still be built by right in Prince William County?
No. On September 22, 2026, the Board of County Supervisors unanimously approved a zoning text amendment that ends by-right data center development countywide.
What happened to the PW Digital Gateway data center project?
The project is dead. Developer QTS dropped its appeal after several defeats in lower courts, Bristow Beat reported July 2, 2026.
What data centers are proposed near the Four Seasons retirement community?
Two developers have applied to build a total of six data centers next to the Four Seasons at Historic Virginia 55-and-over community off Interstate 95. County planning staff said the proposals have "substantial issues and deficiencies."
Is there a petition to pause data centers in Prince William County?
Yes. On October 27, 2026, Bristow Beat reported that citizens have created a petition calling for a pause on data center development in the county and supporting a statewide data center moratorium.
Summarized from the headlines and excerpts of the 8 stories below and updated as new coverage arrives. The linked stories are the record.