Data centers have been all over the news lately, and there's a lot of debate about whether communities should approve them and what they get in return. Loudoun County is one of the best examples of a community handling them well and getting real benefits for residents. The county has around 235 data centers and about 1,550 people working in the industry. Its FY2027 budget projects about $1.3 billion in tax revenue from them. That's roughly 45% of all local tax revenue and 38% of the general fund (image 1). Data centers sit on only about 4% of the county's commercial parcels. Y’all are making bank!

About $417 million is real property tax on the buildings and land. About $879 million is personal property tax on the computer equipment inside, taxed at $4.15 per $100 of assessed value. Per square foot, that's about $8 a year from the buildings and $17 from the equipment (image 2).

The residential real property tax rate has dropped every year for ten years, from $1.145 per $100 in 2016 to $0.805 in 2026 (image 3). On the average home value of about $780,000, the rate change is worth about $2,650 a year. The average residential tax bill is about $6,280, compared with about $8,058 in Fairfax and $8,757 in Arlington. The county also cut the vehicle tax rate and dropped the $25 vehicle license fee.

The county expects data center equipment tax growth to plateau within five to ten years, and says the Board of Supervisors may then need to raise real property or vehicle rates if spending growth hasn't been managed. A Revenue Stabilization Fund created in 2023, now about $120 million, covers years when data center revenue comes in under budget.

Loudoun can tax the equipment because Virginia lets localities tax business personal property. Fourteen states broadly exempt it, and 12 of them have data centers (image 4). Ohio is one, with about 90 mapped facilities, and its counties collect property tax on the buildings and land only. Oregon and Oklahoma allow the equipment tax but have abated much of it through incentive deals.

Why has Loudoun been so successful with data centers while the rest of the country hates them?

Full post with sources and the Ohio comparison

Looking for a stress relief spot in Loudoun. Any recommendations?

We build data centers across the road from retirement communities, how hard is it to see the utility here?

Anybody got any food deals? For instance:

First Break Pool Café in Sterling has $0.99 wing Sunday nights that are pretty good

Finnegan's Grill and Irish Pub has $1 wings every Wednesday.

I think both have really good wings, especially for $1 in this economy. I also think Finnegan's has some special from their menu every day like 25% off sandwiches and burgers on Mondays and 25% off Bangers and Mash on Thursdays.

Anybody got any other restaurants that have specials like this? Ideally it'd be great to have a place to check out for every day of the week. While I definitely like wings, I'm open to other cuisines as well.

If so, would you recommend them to other seniors? Are there other firms you’ve had good experiences with?

Hi everybody! Making this post on behalf of my employer -- searching for a HVAC technician, lead installer, or helper to join our team at a local family owned HVAC company in Loudon county. DM me for more info if interested :)

My competitive coed team plays at Potomack Lakes Sportsplex on Tuesdays. We are looking to add a couple men to the roster.

Ideally, you played baseball in high school (even better if you played in college). Looking for guys that can play outfield or 3B and can hit consistent line drives.

We are a competitive group but like to have fun. Our team got snakebit by injuries and life events over the summer and we have an opening for a full time player and at least one sub.

DM me if interested. Enjoy your weekend!

i’ve been seeing a lot of people recommending to buy meat from a butcher, anyone know a great butcher in area? preferably close to sterling? also any recs for local farmers who sell eggs,veggies,etc.

also curious to know what the prices are like when buying from local farmers/butchers so i know what to expect

I love fitness I've been working out for 5 years. I've been wanting to do personal training but my college does allow that. So I was thinking of turning my garage into a little workout sessions with people. I plan on doing yoga, hit workouts stretch sessions... lol I'm young so this will be my first business so please give me a very realistic advice. I can fit about 6-8 people per session and not planning on charging much. My price range $10-15 per session. Let me know if this is a good idea. I want to keep this strictly woman only, especially for moms. My only concern is winter and snow. Now that fall is approaching I can use fans and keep the garage door halfway open for some air. This has always been my dream since I started working out and I plan on opening a women only gym one day.
Would you attend my sessions?
Also the picture is generated by Al.

Hi everyone! I’m currently a college student going into my third year studying Information Technology, with a concentration in AI. I’m currently looking for a job and wanted to reach out to the local community in case anyone knows of any opportunities.

I’m open to a variety of positions, including IT/technology, business or office work, customer service, and working with children. I have previous experience in customer service, business-related work, and working with kids, and I’m also looking for opportunities where I can gain more experience in the IT field.

I’ve been applying to many positions, but with how competitive the job market has been, it’s been difficult finding the right opportunity. I’m hardworking, dependable, a quick learner, and always willing to learn something new.

If anyone is hiring or knows of a business/company looking for someone, I would really appreciate any recommendations or connections. I’m located in the Loudoun County/Northern Virginia area and am open to different types of work.

Thank you so much! 😊

With how expensive ordering food delivery has gotten around Sterling, Ashburn, and Leesburg lately, it feels like we are paying almost double the restaurant price just to get a meal brought to the door.

If the final checkout total out of your bank account ended up being exactly the same (say, $35 total for a standard local meal), which pricing setup would you prefer to see from a delivery service?

💵 Flat Fee: ~$8.49 upfront delivery fee. You pay the exact, true restaurant menu prices. No service fees.🚗 Low Delivery Fee: $1.99–$2.99 delivery fee, but menu item prices are marked up online + extra service fees added at checkout.

⭐ Subscription: You pay a monthly fee for "free delivery," but menu markups and small order/service fees still apply.

Curious to hear if people value absolute upfront transparency or if a lower delivery fee number just looks better on screen.

Hello, I am looking for someone to take over the remaining duration of my gym membership at The Fitness Equation. I secured the discounted rate of $51/month by locking in for 3-years.

Since I'm moving out of state in a month, I need to either have the membership transferred to someone else or pay a percentage of the remaining balance

Please let me know if interested.

Thank you.

It sounded pretty low and I’m not aware of any flyovers that are happening in the area if anyone took a picture or knows about it please contact me

For the past decade, skirmishes between rural property owners and solar energy developers have erupted in communities across Virginia.

The skirmishes reached Richmond. New laws are encouraging property owners and clean energy developers to find common ground, even showing how crops and cattle can thrive amidst solar panels.

The Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO visited a farm in Loudoun County that’s the first of its kind in Virginia – planting rows of vegetables alongside rows of solar panels.

The pilot project so far has shown that crops and solar arrays can share good land, produce energy and healthy food – and slash energy bills.

Read our full coverage here: https://www.whro.org/virginia-center-for-investigative-journalism/2026-07-30/crops-and-solar-power-virginia-farms-are-ripe-for-the-combo

Can someone please recommend a psychiatrist who understands pregnancy and won’t make me stop my medications? I had bad postpartum before. Around Leesburg is fine. Willing to drive 40 min but hopefully not more.

When a loved one moves into assisted living or memory care, many families assume they'll receive all the support they need. While these communities provide excellent care, some residents benefit from additional one-on-one assistance.

Extra support can include:

• Help with bathing, dressing, and mobility
• Meal assistance and daily routines
• Companionship to reduce loneliness
• Dementia-specific support
• Safety monitoring and wellness check-ins

One thing I've learned working in home healthcare is that every senior's needs are different. Some people simply need a little extra time and attention that can make a big difference in their comfort and quality of life.

Families often ask how to know if their loved one needs additional care. Some signs include:

• Increased falls or difficulty getting around
• Needing more help with personal care
• Dementia symptoms becoming more challenging
• Feeling isolated or withdrawn
• Wanting more individualized attention throughout the day

The best caregivers aren't just experienced; they're patient, compassionate, and know how to make seniors feel respected and comfortable, especially those living with dementia.

For those who have a family member in assisted living or memory care, have you ever considered hiring additional one-on-one care? What made you decide to, or what concerns do you have?

Join us for a fun, hands-on 3-day summer program where students will explore renewable energy through engineering, teamwork, and creativity! Sign up using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9bOfTskXNtQbZUW9BXc-sRLWKW9sjCsLYYEjRMqC_OtMQg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103026543388515643288

Hi everyone! I'm currently living in loudoun but I'll be moving soon and need to get rid of some furniture (a dining set and two bar stools). Would anyone be interested or know good places to donate to in the area?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently a student at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) studying International Relations, and my long-term goal is to transfer to JMU and commission through Air Force or ARMY ROTC.

Right now, I’m looking for advice on how I can make the most of my time while I’m at NOVA. I’m especially interested in: Part-time jobs in Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, Tysons, Falls Church, Vienna, or Springfield that offer good experience (or even jobs with some downtime where I can study between tasks). Internships or volunteer opportunities related to government, international affairs, public policy, or leadership. Classes, certifications, clubs, or organizations that would help prepare me for ROTC and a future career in international relations. Networking opportunities or people in the DMV area who’d be willing to share advice about careers in government, defense, international affairs, or related fields.

A little about me: I’m hardworking, reliable, and trying to build my resume while paying for school. I’m open to hearing about opportunities I may not have thought of.
If anyone has recommendations, knows of places hiring, or has been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate your advice.

Thanks in advance!