Amazon Donates 25 Acres to Loudoun County in Data Center Swap

Amazon has surrendered control of 25 acres in Loudoun County, Virginia, as part of a new deal that scraps its plans for four data centers. The company agreed to donate that land to the county for a community arts center and a recreational facility. It will also contribute $5 million to the local housing fund.

The site is the 122-acre former George Washington University campus located just outside Washington, D.C. Amazon filed its proposal for the four facilities in July. The change in plans follows strong resistance from residents who cited noise and electricity consumption as primary concerns. The county, known as Data Center Alley for its high density of such facilities, has recently shifted its stance on new construction.

Phyllis J. Randall, chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, met with Amazon in September. She advised the company that the land might be better suited for other uses. Josh Weissman, Amazon's vice president for data center development, acknowledged the county's pointed concerns about the specific site. He stated that the company concluded a shared vision was better than costly litigation. He noted that Amazon viewed the legal development potential differently than the county did.

The retreat comes amid a surge in demand for larger AI facilities. Communities have increasingly opposed these builds due to higher electricity prices, water shortages, and deforestation. President Donald Trump also weighed in on the issue days before this announcement. In a social media post, he called on AI hyperscalers to pay local communities a dividend. He further stated that data centers should generate their own electricity and sell any surplus back to the community.

Randall described the outcome as a product of cooperation rather than reflexive disagreement. She said the agreement provides new places for residents to gather, create, and play. She emphasized that the deal will provide more attainable homes for working families. The former campus will now undergo mixed-use and residential development. The donated acres will host the new public amenities as planned.

The deal resolves a conflict that could have led to legal battles over land use. Amazon retains the majority of the property for its housing projects. The county receives the land and the financial contribution without a lengthy court process. The former university grounds will transition from a planned tech hub to a mixed-use community space.