Former Ethanol Plant in Hopewell, Virginia, Tapped for 20MW Data Center Development

A former ethanol production facility in Hopewell, Virginia, is being evaluated for conversion into a data center, marking a potential adaptive reuse of industrial infrastructure in the mid-Atlantic region. The project, led by data center consulting firm Volterra Advisors, highlights growing interest in repurposing existing energy-intensive sites for digital infrastructure, particularly those with access to natural gas and grid connectivity.

According to local reports from the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Progress-Index, Volterra Advisors has been conducting feasibility studies for a data center at 701 S 6th Ave in Hopewell, an independent city roughly 20 miles south of Richmond. While full details have not been disclosed, Volterra indicated the facility could deliver up to 20MW of capacity across 50,000 to 70,000 square feet (approximately 4,645 to 6,505 square meters).

The site originally housed an ethanol plant that began operations in 2014. Green Plains Inc. acquired the facility from Future Fuels LLP in 2015, but announced plans to shut it down in late 2018. At its peak, the plant employed around 31 people and produced approximately 60 million gallons of ethanol annually from corn, barley, and other small grains. It was recognized as the first ethanol operation on the East Coast.

In February 2026, real estate development firm NS Development Partners acquired the former ethanol site. The city of Hopewell welcomed the acquisition at the time, stating, “This investment signals strong momentum and confidence in Hopewell’s future—we can’t wait to see what’s next!” Founded in 2023, NS Development has primarily focused on industrial warehouse projects to date.

Volterra Advisors, a data center advisory firm specializing in strategy, site development, leasing, and transactions, was launched earlier this year by former CloudHQ vice president Jeramy Utara. Utara noted that the firm has “multiple locations” with live electrons available in 2026, including through a partnership with Legacy Investing. Commenting on the Hopewell site, Utara told the Progress-Index, “There’s potential to re-use the natural gas lines,” suggesting that existing energy infrastructure could be leveraged to power the data center with behind-the-meter gas supply.

The project reflects a broader trend of converting former industrial and energy facilities into data centers, as developers seek to reduce costs and lead times by utilizing sites with existing power, permitting, and environmental approvals. If realized, the Hopewell data center could help meet growing demand for compute capacity in the Richmond region while providing a new use for a shuttered industrial asset.