Supporters and opponents of Google’s proposed data center campus in Botetourt County made their cases Thursday evening as hundreds of residents gathered at Lord Botetourt High School for a community open house hosted by the technology company.

Botetourt County leaders hosted a business summit aimed at supporting local companies through panels, resources and economic updates, as a separate protest outside the event focused on a proposed data center project.

Concerns are growing in Appomattox County over a proposed data center project and the resources it could require, particularly water usage.

Residents and local leaders in Botetourt County are once again raising questions about transparency and public involvement as the community navigates major development projects, including a proposed Google data center and the Rocky Forge Wind Project.