Virginia Business quoted McGuireWoods partner Greg Riegle and McGuireWoods Consulting senior vice president Tracy Baynard in a February 2026 article explaining how data center developers were looking beyond Loudoun County, Virginia — the host of more than 200 data centers — for new projects.
Baynard told Virginia Business that Loudoun’s new data center restrictions left few parcels that are suitable for data center developers. She added that clarity from local governments on zoning and expectations was particularly important to developers.
“That also helps … answer the question of speed to market, because if you’re able to go in, understand very clearly what a locality wants from you as a data center developer and essentially community partner for many decades, you’re more likely to look at that jurisdiction, because there’s no guessing,” said Baynard, who represents private sector clients in data center development before state and local governments. “You know exactly what you’re getting into.”
Riegle, who leads the firm’s data centers practice area, added that data centers face “highly organized” regional and national opposition and that the industry needs to communicate better with the public about data centers’ benefits to communities.
McGuireWoods has helped data center developers and operators facilitate development of millions of square feet of data center space in markets throughout the country. The firm provides strategic guidance on transactions, site selection, permitting and energy procurement, aided by the cross-functional support and public affairs capabilities of McGuireWoods Consulting.