Central Virginia (near UVA) gets 3rd major pharma facility.
Just shows you what a facility like the now being built UVA Manning Institute can do. I wish Roanoke could attract a big company.
I guess Roanoke and the NRV are just too far out for major company facilities like those being announced by the pharma companies.
VT location puts us at a major disadvantage. But we have done well in other ways, so far.
37 Replies
V
Va AandM
9mo
The Merck site as stated is from the 1940s and Merck is closing lower performing sites and expanding high performers. Good on the Elkton team.
(In response to this post by pine52x)
9mo
not in the NRV
(In response to this post by Va AandM)
V
Va AandM
9mo
It’s to make chronic disease drugs. People take milligram doses. Say you’re making a drug that a patient takes at 50 mg per day. For 1M patients you need 1.5 kg/ month. I remember when my former company had an incident with a private jet and 4kg of a heart med. They were scrambling because that amount treated patients a couple of months worldwide.
** Edited by Va AandM at 10/21/2025, 8:08:18 AM
(In response to this post by Tuckahokie)
5
501
9mo
it's generating much traffic heading south back toward 64. Especially since they shot down the bypass forever ago.
(In response to this post by Tuckahokie)
9mo
They ended up with highway madness going in and out of Hooville on all but Route 250 from the west.
That decision was one of the factors in us moving to Roanoke from Greene County back in 1997.
(In response to this post by 501)
9mo
Powers that be didn't want a new interchange for I-295 and new US 460 bypass from Petersburg to Suffolk. Said FHWA wouldn't an interchange that close to the existing one at US 460 business. So, they had an intern (TIC, maybe) design a combined Rube Goldberg travesty. They said the EIS had been completed for the design corridor.
Our Value Engineering team balked and was "summoned" to the VDOT Central Office for reprogramming. We held our ground. I told them, as a licensed professional engineer, I couldn't go along with a nightmare traffic design and wouldn't relent.
The point is, finally, Amazon got a new interchange just north of the I 295 / Route 10 interchange in northern Chesterfield. And they are close to each other. 🤦♂️🤷🏽♂️💪
And, the bypass is on hold or was scrapped. IDC
(In response to this post by Tuckahokie)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
may be what you are referring to. (west of Richmond and Henrico) We are also going to be the Data Center Capital of VA...we seem to be trying to take that DUBIOUS distinction away from Loudoun...who basically finally has had enough.
I promise you there are PLENTY of people in eastern Goochland County who would love to pass on the opportunity to have those behemoths in our backyards (literally). Just remember, they attract other data centers like flies on a pile of SHIrT! We'd love to give you all of them you want!
** Edited by HOKIERIT at 10/20/2025, 4:54:23 PM
(In response to this post by pine52x)
9mo
(In response to this post by HOKIERIT)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
power is before the SCC looking for 20+% in rates. This is NOT because of rising fuel costs (they add fuel adjustment costs independently of rates). It is because of the need to build power stations tied to huge demands in power consumption. Guess where that power is going and WILL go...data centers.
Goochland is even including package nuclear power generation stations in its zoning ordinance (TOD). This is NOT to power homes, I can assure you of that! Virginia already has more data storage capacity than all of Russia, and is the leader in the country for data centers. They are cramming them anywhere they can! In the case of Goochland, with no regard to the neighborhoods they are butting up against nor the destruction of the quality of life of eastern Goochland residents. There is also a $5B Eli Lilly Pharma plant being built in eastern Goochland. This has met with very little resistance, and is actually being welcomed. It is situated responsibly and not in people's backyards towering over 80 feet (down from 125) with one ready to break ground as a 2M square foot complex!
(In response to this post by BG Hokie)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
** Edited by HOKIERIT at 10/21/2025, 6:29:44 PM
(In response to this post by BG Hokie)
9mo
by generating posts for the subscribers board?
(In response to this post by HOKIERIT)
9mo
(In response to this post by turkeywinghokie)
9mo
through it. So, I know all about data centers. Most of them are to the north in Prince William and Loudoun. They are now building 2 or 3 in Stafford. Because of VT, I am always pulling for the NRV and Roanoke area and follow the area closely. I really like what the FBRI has done for Roanoke, but much more is needed.
(In response to this post by HOKIERIT)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
like mushrooms in a field. Goochland is wanting to put them VERY close to nice neighborhoods, and LARGE ones. This is being done VERY much below board. The latest was to add a new 900 acre plot of land, not currently in their Technology Overlay District (TOD). 3 Supervisors negotiated this in secret (without even telling some of the other Supervisors) when they met with the landowner, and buyer's representatives in secret over a holiday weekend (Labor Day, I assume). This buyer wants to put an 8 building, 2 MILLION square foot data center complex up against Patterson Avenue (Rt 6) and bordering the Richmond County Club, and a high end neighborhood..
The way this is being done, and rammed down the citizens collective throats is NOT sitting well in Goochland! They have essentially SOLD OUT the citizens in the eastern end of the County.
(In response to this post by pine52x)
9mo
(In response to this post by HOKIERIT)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
IBM managing techs in huge data centers in eastern Henrico. He said they rarely employ over 40 people or so..Lot of lower paying temporary construction jobs is about it.
I've always said I know you're gonna get screwed somewhere along the way. I just hate when they act like I am too stupid to see it coming. These Supervisors think we are too stupid to see it coming...
(In response to this post by pine52x)
9mo
is the property tax on the building and all the equipment in it.
I am not saying I agree with it just stating the overall picture.
(In response to this post by HOKIERIT)
9mo
Not doubting you...my parents recently moved to eastern Goochland and I'm not sure they are aware of this, so I'd like to warn them about what may be coming their way. TIA.
(In response to this post by HOKIERIT)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
the citizen outrage, input and meetings. It is progress, but needs to go further. The removal of "by right" is huge as far as it goes. I would encourage your parents to read up on this, and get involved, if only to show up at the posted meetings. The large numbers of people are really the only way we have to show our concerns. It has obviously resulted in "some" small concession.
The short-term objective is to have this put off until every aspect and negative consequence can be thoroughly vetted. As it is (was?) the original vote date was Nov 6th, in an attempt to ramrod it through before all the public outrage. People have been on it hard since we found out a couple of months ago.
(In response to this post by MP4VT2004)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
What has happened is that the Board of Supervisors, specifically Districts 1,2 and 3 in the western part of the County, have sold out the citizens in eastern Goochland to keep the western part rural. The problem is two-fold. First, this TOD (Technology Overlay District) was "sold" as a way to have responsible, "desirable clean industry in Goochland and keep taxes down. Goochland already has the lowest tax rate in the surrounding counties BY FAR. Second, and probably MOST disturbing to me is they are going to do this (and future data centers) through "by right" zoning. That means, from here on out, ANY project needs simple Board approval with NO public input like we are trying to have now. Even Henrico County recognized the problem with that, and took data centers out of "by-right" zoning and back into Conditional Use Permitting. That means citizens can express their disdain. The citizens in eastern did just that, and stopped an 8 building 1M sq foot complex out of eastern Henrico.....where they will be courted and welcomed by Goochland.
If you think this is "anti-development" Karen whining, Google Loudoun data centers in neighborhoods for some ALARMING photos and info.
I am pretty involved with trying to mitigate this, so if they have questions, let me know and I'll provide any info I have that may be a benefit to them.
(In response to this post by MP4VT2004)
9mo
...the street from them, so this would definitely impact them. Thanks a lot for all of the links! I will definitely pass this along. They may already be aware...I've just been living under a rock the past few months and haven't watched any news coverage at all, so I had no idea about this.
Thanks again!
(In response to this post by HOKIERIT)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
Right past Luck Stone right off of Patterson. It is a mile from Richmond CC (and the 900 acres they want to the put 2M sq ft complex in up against Patterson (Rt 6). While we aren't (or at least WEREN'T) within the TOD, I knew it was just a matter of time...Once the pig eats, the pig needs to KEEP eating. They have already (within 6 weeks) added that 900 acres..
I am sure their neighbors or the HOA can fill them in. One of the most eloquent speakers at one of the meeting I attended was speaking from and on behalf of Mosaic homeowners.
(In response to this post by MP4VT2004)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
(In response to this post by MP4VT2004)
9mo
(In response to this post by GreenvilleVT)
H
HOKIERIT
9mo
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)
9mo
with Charlottesville and Richmond. It's referred to as Project VITAL and here's the VT release from February.
I understand the frustration on the private firm announcements, but I think the opportunity is there for VT/Blacksburg/Roanoke.
(In response to this post by pine52x)
9mo
Be built in Tazwell ?
(In response to this post by s.mill hokie)
9mo
(In response to this post by pine52x)
