The Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) released a study of the impact of data centers within the commonwealth. These data centers provide an important platform for managing and processing websites, data collection and other digital services such as streaming, email and cloud-based opportunities. JLARC estimates data centers generate 74,000 jobs, mostly during construction, $5.5 billion in labor income, and $9.1 billion in GDP to Virginia’s economy annually.

JLARC’s study also provides a forward-looking perspective of the challenges associated with data centers. "A substantial amount of new power generation and transmission infrastructure will be needed in Virginia to meet unconstrained energy demand or even half of unconstrained demand,” the report states. State and local governments will play a role in addressing some of these challenges.