AGP Executive Report

Data Centers: Google confirmed it is considering Roanoke County’s Wood Haven Technology Park for a data center, as Virginia lawmakers prepare bills that could halt new approvals statewide for three years starting in 2027. The proposals reflect growing concerns about power demand, water use and local impacts. Energy & Industry: The U.S. announced $50 million for grid upgrades in parts of Appalachian Power’s service area. M.C. Dean plans a $412.5 million Caroline County expansion expected to create 1,950 jobs. Research & Innovation: The FDA approved a Parkinson’s drug based on UVA research. Virginia Tech will take part in a $73 million federal initiative to advance mining technology, and NASA awarded the university $5.8 million for aircraft design and certification.**

Data Centers & Power: Google is evaluating Roanoke County’s Wood Haven Technology Park for a data center, with due diligence expected to continue through March 2027. As electricity demand rises, a $50 million federal grant—matched by Appalachian Power—will fund Virginia grid upgrades adding an estimated 290 megawatts of transmission capacity. Energy Policy: Data-center moratorium bills are piling up ahead of Virginia’s January legislative session, amid scrutiny of the state’s data-center tax exemptions and concerns about power costs for residents. Research & Innovation: The FDA approved a Parkinson’s drug developed from University of Virginia research. Virginia Tech is also part of a $73 million federal initiative to advance mining technology. STEM Education: Virginia Tech aerospace engineering students won a national missile-systems design competition with a concept for a low-cost supersonic cruise missile.

Data Center Debate: Google is considering a data center at Roanoke County’s Wood Haven Technology Park, as Virginia lawmakers face a growing stack of bills proposing data center moratoriums ahead of the January session. UVA Research: The FDA approved a Parkinson’s drug based on University of Virginia research, bringing university-developed science into patient care. Mining Innovation: Virginia Tech is part of a $73 million Department of Energy initiative to advance next-generation mining technology. Future Flight: Virginia Tech is leading a team working to standardize rules for flying taxis and other electric aircraft. Advanced Manufacturing: M.C. Dean plans to invest $412.5 million in a Caroline County facility, with 1,950 jobs tied to modular power-systems manufacturing.

UVA Medical Research: The FDA approved a once-daily Parkinson’s drug built on decades of University of Virginia research. Tavapadon is expected to reach patients this month. Mining Technology: Virginia Tech will receive an expected $4.6 million from a $73 million federal initiative to test advanced mining technology, including wireless systems for underground mines. Maternal and Child Health: A Virginia Tech researcher is investigating whether a placental protein helps regulate blood-vessel development—and whether changes in its levels could affect babies’ brain development. Future Flight: Virginia Tech is leading work to standardize rules for electric aircraft, a step toward making flying taxis viable. Data-Center Debate: Frederick County supervisors unanimously removed data centers as an allowed or conditional use, making it the first Virginia locality to restrict their development. Tech Manufacturing: M.C. Dean plans a $412 million Virginia expansion with two factories and 1,950 jobs.

Aviation Innovation: Virginia Tech is leading work to standardize rules for flying taxis, while NASA awarded the university $5.8 million to build certification into aircraft design. AI Infrastructure: Northern Virginia’s data-center cluster is both vital to the AI boom and a potential security vulnerability, a Virginia Tech expert told TIME; outages could disrupt hospitals, transport and government services. Energy & Manufacturing: M.C. Dean plans to open modular power-systems manufacturing facilities in Virginia as electricity demand grows. Fusion Research: Researchers from William & Mary, VCU and UVA are gathering to discuss how to move fusion energy closer to commercialization. Defense Technology: Newport News Shipbuilding won a $56 million Navy contract supporting AUKUS submarine design, part of a broader push that relies on Virginia’s submarine workforce. AI Oversight: A state review found gaps in Virginia government safeguards for artificial intelligence.

Virginia Tech Leadership: Richard Linton, a three-time Virginia Tech graduate and current Kansas State president, has been named Virginia Tech’s 17th president; he is expected to take office in January. AI Oversight: A state review found gaps in safeguards for government AI, as Virginia lawmakers weigh stronger rules for 2027. Data Center Debate: Concerns over power, permits and community impact are intensifying, with Stafford County delaying a project hearing after staff recommended denying most applications. Aerospace Research: NASA awarded Virginia Tech $5.8 million to build aircraft certification into the design process. Defense Technology: Virginia’s submarine workforce pipeline is supporting Navy construction, while Newport News Shipbuilding received $56 million for AUKUS work. Health and Environment: The FDA approved a Parkinson’s drug pioneered by UVA scientists, and the Chesapeake Bay earned a C+—its best grade in 20 years of reporting.

University Leadership: Virginia Tech appointed alumnus Richard Linton, currently Kansas State’s president, as its 17th president. He is set to take office in spring 2027. AI & Data Centers: A Virginia review found gaps in safeguards for government AI, as lawmakers consider stronger oversight. The state is also weighing data-center rules amid concerns about electricity demand and community impacts. Aviation Research: NASA funding will help Virginia Tech build certification into aircraft design, while its Smart Airspace project tests electric aircraft in Southwest Virginia. Health & Environment: The FDA approved a Parkinson’s drug pioneered by UVA scientists. The Chesapeake Bay earned its highest overall health grade in four decades, though leaders say protection efforts must continue.

AI Oversight: A new JLARC report says Virginia’s AI rules lack clear, risk-based safeguards. While 76% of state employees use AI, only 28% of agencies have written guidance. Advanced Manufacturing: M.C. Dean proposes a $412.5 million Caroline County expansion expected to add 1,950 jobs and two manufacturing facilities. Health Research: The FDA approved a new Parkinson’s drug pioneered by UVA scientists. Chesapeake Bay: The Bay earned its best overall health grade in 40 years, though it still has room to improve. Virginia Tech Research: A study using NASA satellite data found groundwater losses surged across the Colorado River Basin, with the Upper Basin hit especially hard during the 2020–22 drought. Aviation Technology: Virginia Tech plans to expand its Smart Airspace project, which tests electric aircraft in Southwest Virginia.

AI Policy: Virginia lawmakers say the state will regulate artificial intelligence in 2027, with Delegate Cliff Hayes citing public safety as a priority. UVA Breakthrough: The FDA approved Juvmo, a once-daily Parkinson’s pill based on research by UVA scientists; it could offer an alternative to levodopa, which often requires more frequent doses as the disease progresses. Children’s Health: A George Mason-led study found school meal participation was linked to lower levels of some “forever chemicals” in Hispanic children in Northern Virginia, while eating more animal-based foods was associated with higher levels of certain PFAS. Defense Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin and Avio plan to produce solid rocket motors at a new facility in Hurt, strengthening Virginia’s role in the U.S. defense supply chain. Electric Aviation: Virginia Tech’s Smart Airspace project is testing electric aircraft in Southwest Virginia. Data Center Costs: A new report says Virginia’s data-center tax exemptions have cost the state $1.6 billion, sharpening questions about the public price of the technology boom. Chesapeake Bay: The Bay earned its highest health score in 40 years of tracking, with researchers pointing to restoration work and a relatively dry year.

AI Security: Booz Allen’s Chantilly lab found frontier AI models completed all eight attack goals in an industrial-control test, with one reaching factory control systems in just over 16 minutes. Physical actions still required human approval. Electric Aviation: Virginia Tech’s Smart Airspace project tested autonomous and hybrid-electric aircraft on new routes and low-cost vertiports in Southwest Virginia, exploring access to communities without airports. Environmental Education: Virginia released its first statewide environmental literacy plan, a three-year guide developed with 68 partners to connect educators with hands-on science resources; schools are not required to adopt it. Public Health: Flu activity is rising earlier than usual in Central Virginia, and three young children in Virginia had died from flu by early October. Health experts urge vaccination before cases climb further.

Energy & AI Infrastructure: Virginia’s power-transformer industry is booming as electricity demand climbs. Data-center growth is also running into grid and equipment bottlenecks, while battery fires highlight safety risks. New Energy: Amherst County may be the site of a small modular reactor, putting another major power proposal in Virginia’s spotlight. Research & STEM: Virginia Tech is training dogs to track spotted lanternflies, and 21 robotics teams gathered for the inaugural Southern Virginia Showdown. Digital Access: A broadband extension will connect more residents on the Peninsula to high-speed internet. Tech & Privacy: Richmond plans to let its Flock license-plate camera contract expire, reflecting growing scrutiny of surveillance technology.

Security Engineering: George Mason University won $1.43 million from the Federal Highway Administration to develop and test vehicle barriers for protecting diplomatic sites. Submarine Manufacturing: A new Anduril shipyard in Maryland could make components for Virginia-class submarines built by Newport News Shipbuilding, linking a $6.6 billion investment-and-contract push to Virginia’s defense industry. Health Research: Preliminary findings presented at an Arlington conference suggest better blood-pressure care could prevent more than 518,000 cardiovascular deaths a year worldwide. AI Safeguards: A Virginia panel backed proposed protections for chatbot users. Invasive Species: Virginia Tech is training dogs to detect spotted lanternflies, an effort to help track the damaging pest.

Virginia Tech Research: A study of 57 adults found that ultra-processed meals triggered a stronger insulin response than less-processed meals with similar nutrients, and also changed brain activity tied to food cues. Energy and Infrastructure: A possible small modular reactor site has been identified in Amherst County, while data-center plans in Chantilly and Loudoun highlight the growing demand for power and local oversight. AI Safeguards: A Virginia panel backed proposed protections for chatbot users as lawmakers weigh how to regulate the technology. Digital Access: A high-speed internet extension will connect more Peninsula residents. STEM Education: Twenty-one robotics teams competed at the inaugural Southern Virginia Showdown, building students’ hands-on skills.

AI Infrastructure: Data-center opposition is becoming a bipartisan issue, with Virginia’s technology corridors among the places where residents are raising concerns about electricity, water and local input. Surveillance Technology: Richmond will let its Flock license-plate-reader contract expire in 2027, following Henrico’s exit and renewed debate over privacy and public safety. STEM Education: Twenty-one robotics teams competed at Southern Virginia’s inaugural Showdown, giving students a chance to build, troubleshoot and test their designs. Wildlife Research: William & Mary scientists report the Chesapeake Bay osprey’s worst recorded breeding season, linking nest failures to food stress and declining availability of menhaden. Energy: Amherst County officials have revealed the location of a possible small modular reactor, putting nuclear power development on the local agenda. Health Research: The FDA approved a Parkinson’s drug developed from UVA Health research, a notable Virginia contribution to treatment advances. Agriculture: A Virginia Tech report says farm productivity growth remains far below the pace needed to meet future food demand, and examines regenerative practices as one possible path forward.

Surveillance Tech: Richmond won’t renew its Flock license-plate camera contract when it expires in June 2027, following Henrico County’s decision to end its deal. Defense Tech: Reston-based Blue Sky Innovators plans to grow its workforce from about 120 to more than 150 as it builds a secure facility for government and defense clients. AI & Energy: Rising electricity prices are sharpening concerns about data-center power demand on the East Coast; Amazon’s long-term electricity contracts have helped shield it from the surge. Virginia Research: William & Mary scientists report the Chesapeake osprey population had its worst recorded breeding season this year, with food stress linked to changing menhaden availability. Health Innovation: The FDA approved a Parkinson’s drug developed through decades of UVA Health research. Energy Infrastructure: Amherst County is the proposed site of a small modular reactor, though project details remain limited.

Energy & Data Centers: A proposed small modular reactor site in Amherst County has been identified near Joshua Falls and Galts Mill roads. The project is at an early evaluation stage and would require rezoning. In Loudoun, officials say Amazon needs county approval for data center construction at its VSTC campus, while a Chantilly developer has proposed a fuel-cell-powered facility. Roanoke County’s regional development authority is no longer bound by its NDA with a prospective data center developer, but is still withholding the company’s identity. Connectivity: Newport News plans to use $2 million in federal funding to extend fiber through the region, aiming to bring service of up to 10 gigabits per second to more residents and businesses. Virginia Research: The FDA approved a Parkinson’s drug developed through 15 years of UVA research; Virginia Tech is also developing a fentanyl-overdose patch. Tech Policy: A Virginia panel backed proposed chatbot protections, as localities continue to reassess contracts for Flock surveillance cameras amid privacy concerns.