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Google has taken another step forward in expanding its data center footprint in Virginia. The tech giant has filed an application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Norfolk District for a new project, dubbed "Project Loch", which proposes a data center campus near Richmond, Virginia.
The proposed facility is planned for Chesterfield County, just outside of Richmond, on a site west of Route 288 and south of Route 60, nestled between Otterdale Road and Old Hundred Road. According to the filing, the campus will feature three buildings and three on-site substations. The development will affect nearly five acres of wetlands and 2,828 feet of stream channels.
Google's latest move aligns with its broader plans to invest heavily in Virginia. The company initially announced its intentions to expand in Chesterfield County last year as part of a $9 billion investment initiative for data centers across the state.
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This new campus is not Google’s first project in the region. The company has been actively expanding its data center operations in Virginia over the years. It currently operates a cloud region in the state, which launched in 2017. Following this, Google developed its first self-built facilities in Virginia in 2019 after acquiring land in the area in 2017. Additional facilities were opened in Loudoun County in 2021 and Prince William County in 2023.
Beyond Chesterfield, Google has also undertaken other large-scale projects in Virginia. Two significant efforts in Chesterfield County include "Project Skye" in Moseley and "Project Peanut" near the Meadowville Technology Park. In March 2024, a Google-affiliated entity, Sharpless Enterprises, received approval for a 181-acre data center campus in Bristow, Virginia. Another ongoing project, known as "Project Raspberry", is under development in Botetourt County, located west of Lynchburg, Virginia, and spans 343 acres.
With its investments in Virginia, including the latest filing for Project Loch, Google is reaffirming its commitment to expanding its data center infrastructure in the state. These developments are part of the company's ongoing efforts to meet growing demands for cloud services and technology infrastructure.
The outcome of the application for Project Loch has yet to be determined, but it signals another significant step in Google’s data center strategy in Virginia. As plans progress, further details about the project may emerge, continuing to highlight the state’s role as a hub for data center activity.
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