Details of Four Data Center Projects in Petersburg, Virginia, Revealed Following Zoning Changes

New details have emerged about four data center projects planned for Petersburg, Virginia, after the city approved them without requiring rezoning, a shift made possible by changes to local zoning rules adopted in 2024. The developments, which include campuses from NuVu, Menlo Digital, Wagner Properties, and Warrenton Group, highlight how municipalities are streamlining approvals to attract large-scale data center investment.

Under the revised zoning code, data centers are now classified as a “by right” use in M-1 light industrial and M-2 heavy industrial districts, meaning they no longer require the rezoning approval typically subject to council hearings and public meetings. Information about the four projects was obtained by Richmond Biz Sense through council documents under the Freedom of Information Act, revealing plans that had not previously been publicly detailed.

One of the most significant projects is led by NuVu, which intends to build a three-building campus on a plot between I-95 and County Drive in Petersburg. The company expects to invest up to $1.1 billion in the campus. In a statement to Richmond Biz Sense, NuVu said the data center would be powered by clean energy and connect to Dominion Energy’s grid via a new substation. The facility will also feature a closed-loop water system to minimize impact on the local water supply.

Separately, Menlo Digital, the data center platform launched last year by real estate investor Menlo Equities, is developing a four-building campus on a 74-acre site at 2255 Jamestown Drive. According to plans, the fully built-out campus will offer 104MW of capacity, supplied by a 300MW substation constructed as part of the project. Menlo Digital lists the site as MD-VA3 on its website.

Wagner Properties is pursuing a data center at 1161 Wagner Road, while Warrenton Group has outlined plans for a six-building campus spanning 175 acres at 2233 Halifax Road. The scale of these projects underscores Petersburg’s growing appeal as a data center hub, driven by its proximity to Richmond and streamlined permitting processes.

Industry observers note that the by-right zoning approach reduces development timelines and regulatory uncertainty, making cities like Petersburg more competitive in attracting capital-intensive data center projects. The shift reflects a broader trend across Virginia, where demand for data center capacity continues to surge amid the expansion of AI and cloud computing infrastructure.