Keep Surry Rural

09/05/2026

In fairness to Surry County Government, and noting that data centers are generally incompatible with our rural character: the proposed data centers on Hog Island were approved using primarily the James River as a cooling source. Groundwater, per the application, was to be minimal (toilets & sinks). The question remains: is tapping into the river to cool data centers wise? What are the potential repercussions? Those questions are unanswered -- though Dominion Energy's nuclear plant on Hog Island already taps into the James River for its cooling water, and has for decades, without known or obvious negative consequences.

A state report finds Isle of Wight and Surry lack sufficient groundwater for a large data center, though Isle of Wight also has access to Norfolk-supplied water...

09/05/2026

At the most recent Surry County Board of Supervisors meeting, an important question arose:

Should Agricultural-Rural—AR—districts be subject to the proposed minimum 10-acre standard, or should the County move toward minimum 5-acre development instead?

KSR (Keep Surry Rural) STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE 10-ACRE RECOMMENDATION UNANIMOUSLY ADVANCED BY THE SURRY COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION.

The reason is straightforward.

As Planning Director Horace Wade explained, the purpose of the larger minimum acreage in AR districts is to help preserve Surry County's agricultural heritage. That is not simply a slogan. It is consistent with the direction established in Surry County's Comprehensive Plan 2040.

Importantly, the proposed 10-acre standard does not mean that every smaller division of property would be impossible.

As County Planning Director Wade and County Planning Commission member Coggin noted at the 9/2/2026 meeting of the Surry County Board of Supervisors, the amendment is to preserve Agricultural and Rural lands from development in densities inconsistent with what agricultural and rural living IS. The Surry County Comprehensive Plan 2040 states the intent of AR zoning is as follows:

“Rural preservation areas promote the continued use of working lands and protection of environmentally sensitive lands from more intense development. Residential properties in these areas accommodate residents who prefer to live away from towns in the more rural areas of the County.”

The 10-acre standard is not simply about telling property owners what they can or cannot do. It is a planning and growth-management tool. It establishes the County's general direction for Agricultural-Rural areas while preserving avenues for flexibility when individual circumstances warrant it.

The 10-acre standard does NOT mean that homes can’t be built on smaller, more affordable lots. More dense population IS allowed by other zonings – just not in AR zoned areas. For example, more dense population centers are allowed in the 3 towns (Claremont, Dendron, and the Town of Surry).

That flexibility matters.

Yet despite the Planning Commission’s unanimous support for the 10 acre standard, the Board began discussing whether they want to reduce the proposed 10-acre standard by 50%, to 5 acres.

Keep Surry Rural believes that decision deserves careful consideration.

The Planning Commission exists for a reason. Its members study these issues, hear public input, and make recommendations based on the County's planning goals. When the Commission reaches a unanimous recommendation, that recommendation should carry meaningful weight.

This is ultimately about the long-term character of Surry County.
Once rural land is divided into smaller and smaller parcels, those decisions can be difficult to reverse; and in the words of Planning Director Horace Wade, proper planning and zoning protects citizens who “thought they were buying one thing, and got another.” Development patterns affect the agricultural character of the County and shape its future.

Keep Surry Rural supports preserving our agricultural heritage.
We hope the Board of Supervisors will give serious weight to the unanimous recommendation of the Planning Commission and adopt the 10-acre standard for Agricultural-Rural districts like Prince George County is considering.

Growth and preservation do not have to be enemies. But growth should be managed thoughtfully.

Surry County already has a Comprehensive Plan. *

Let's follow it.

Keep Surry Rural

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* Adopted September 3, 2020; Amended May 7, 2026

08/29/2026

Surry County Government released (only when FOIA was used) the redacted NDA's signed with Green Energy Partners (data centers) and the YMCA. If you'd like them, we have them.

“A lot of times the board gets accused of not being transparent. A lot of times when our staff members are working, they are involved in an NDA with corporations that would like to do business with the county, so there are things that they are working on that we as board members and staff cannot give to the public as of the time when they are working on it. Before anything is done, we will be in a meeting sitting just like this, we will take a vote on everything that we do, and the citizens will know ahead of time. So we’re not trying to hide anything from anybody, it is the way things work. So, please know, I will give my complete honesty to the county, let you know, we’re not trying to hide anything from anybody, because we can’t do anything without the citizens knowing what we do, because it would take a vote here at this table before it’s done. So please get out of your mindset that we’re trying to hide anything from anybody, because we are not.” ~ Robert Elliott, former Chair, Surry County Board of Supervisors

Nondisclosure agreements covered up negotiations between a tech company and several local and state officials, surprising local residents. It's a tactic used around the country in data center deals.

08/18/2026

Long may the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry be a feature of peaceful Surry County. Keep Surry Rural.

HomeLatest News Latest NewsLocal Federal grant will replace Jamestown-Scotland Ferry vessel with low-emission boat By WYDaily Staff August 17, 2026 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry’s Pocahontas crosses the James River between Jamestown and Surry County. A $68 million...

07/24/2026

It seems that supervisor Cameran Drew appreciates public input; and that this young person’s opposition to data centers in his community strikes a chord. Perhaps he will be an ally to the many who desire to Keep Surry Rural

07/22/2026

The Commonwealth has invited an energy crisis, with spiking energy costs for citizens (and itself). The primary cause? Data centers. So what path did Surry County Government choose? To invite in data centers, approved on Hog Island... to help Surry County with "progress" and "needed services" even as it burdens its own citizens with additional costs in rising electrical bills (and those bills WILL continue to rise when the data centers arrive here).

"Vithoulkas asked all government agencies to make slight adjustments to conserve electricity: turning off lights, computers and laptops at the end of each workday; unplugging appliances, chargers, or other electrical items when not in use; and more."

Vote out representatives who support Big Tech (and its money, including tax revenue for government) over YOUR best interests.

Richmond is looking to add solar panels to city buildings to offset rate increases.

07/14/2026

Surry County Government invited them (the data center industry) here, into our community.

The effect will be generational -- and not in a positive way, according to the the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC). PEC's CEO, a former County Administrator himself, warned Surry County against data centers. Our local Board of Supervisors (specifically Robert Elliott, Walter Hardy, & Breyon Pierce) didn't heed either their warnings, or the pleas of the citizens.

What have we done? And what will the consequences be for our rural character?

At the very least, let the consequence be new leadership that values our rural character over the Almighty Dollar. VOTE in 2027, when you get your chance. Send a message.

Some families in Georgia are being forced to sell their homes or fa...

07/13/2026

Big Tech projects like data centers, industrial scale solar, and battery storage (BESS) threaten rural counties' community character -- and Virginians have had enough. A broad coalition of diverse citizens across the political spectrum are working hard to ensure their voices are heard, and their quality of life is protected. Keep Surry Rural

💾 📶 ⚡Demonstrators gathered Saturday at the Capitol Bell Tower Saturdato sound the alarm about the rapid expansion of data centers across Virginia, demanding action from state lawmakers and calling for an immediate pause on all state data center permitting.

Virginia is currently home to 736 data centers that are either active or under construction, according to demonstrators. Activists from Botetourt, Henrico and Hanover counties said the facilities are straining water resources, disrupting communities and being approved through backroom deals that cut the public out of the process.

"Our community must be at the table from the very beginning — before the permits are granted, before the first shovel hits the ground," Monica Hutchinson with the Henrico NAACP said. 💾 📶 ⚡

Find the full story and what demonstrators are demanding from Virginia lawmakers at the link in commments. Should Virginia put a pause on new data center permits until communities have more say in the process? Let us know below. 👇