CleanArc Data Centers breaks ground on $3 billion data center campus in Caroline

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- CleanArc Data Centers officially broke ground on the $3 billion data center campus in Caroline County on Thursday -- the first of three data centers set to generate 50 new jobs.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, the governor's office announced CleanArc Data Centers has broken ground on the first data center building, VA1, a few months after announcing three data center buildings at the August Caroline County Board of Supervisors meeting.

“Virginia is the data center capital of the world, and I am thrilled that CleanArc has selected Caroline County as the site to invest $3 billion for their newest data center campus,” Youngkin said. “By listening to Virginians and collaborating with industry leaders, CleanArc is ensuring this campus brings great jobs and revenue to this community and the Commonwealth while ensuring the high quality of life Virginia is known for. This is the largest announced economic investment in the history of Caroline County and a testament to the results that come from strong collaboration between local and state leaders and industry partners.”

The new center will offer nearly 1 gigawatt of critical grid capacity. Per the governor's office, the move will offer a growing demand for scalable, sustainability-focused, and hyperscale-ready digital infrastructure.

Once built, these data center buildings will be leased to data center users and/or operators, according to a statement shared by the county.

“Today marks an important milestone for CleanArc Data Centers and Northern Virginia,” said CleanArc Data Centers Founder and CEO James Trout. “This new, leading-edge campus reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, efficient, and sustainable data center solutions while supporting the local economy and workforce.”

Each building constitutes an approximately $2.93 billion capital investment in Caroline County, per the county. The total capital investment CleanArc is set to make with this campus is estimated to be $8.8 billion. 

This data center campus, at its full scope, is expected to generate just under $9.15 million in personal property taxes and about $3.74 million in real estate taxes annually “after full disbursement of these annual grant payments.”

“With this campus, CleanArc is ensuring every data center built in Virginia is better than the last,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “This enormous investment in Caroline County is a sign of Virginia’s growing dominance in the global tech industry.”