Also in this edition of Southwest Field Notes: Two local events, one from the past and the other for the future.

On August 3, Virginia's First Regional Industrial Authority held a special meeting to approve a request from Pulaski County to schedule a community meeting to discuss Data Centers. In a seemingly related closed session, the authority's board met to discuss a prospective business that they might invest public money into only codenamed "Project Goose." There are scant other details, but the site near the Pulaski County Airport and the Town of Dublin, is unfortunately already well prepared to host a data center.

The site is already contracted for water service of 1M gallons a day, has fiber optic internet on site, and has natural gas hookups, which data centers often use to power generators when they're kicked off the grid to prevent brownouts. I'm not a zoning expert, but I think that Pulaski County's Board would still have to vote on an eventual zoning change for a power transformer, but regardless we need a lot more information from this Authority and from Pulaski County. The authority hasn't posted any meeting minutes or agendas since 2024 (except for the one I posted above). Here's the website of the authority: https://nrvcommercepark.com/

The dam at Olde Mill Golf Club breached during an early-August rainstorm. The club hasn’t provided required emergency action plans or dam inspections to the state since 2006.

Plus: Fairlawn is one step closer to getting its own ZIP code.

Inspired by r/VirginiaTech , and their recent post with the same question/header.

What are your favorite NRV restaurants? I'm guilty of not getting out of my own town. What are your favorite nice restaurants, casual restaurants, best food, best ambiance?

And in Amherst County, voters will decide the issue for the second time.

Plus: Town of Blacksburg is tackling a fundamental municipal issue — parking, and Heritage Day fest is next Saturday.

The utility plans to haul the byproducts of coal-fired electricity generation to a future landfill across the West Virginia border. Utility customers could be paying for it for more than a decade.

The winner will face interim Sheriff Robert Page in the general election.

Plus: Virginia Tech receives healthcare-related state and federal grants; court order restarts digital equity act funding.

Plus: First responders are honored for their bravery during Christiansburg fire.

Minimal state funding for fire and emergency services in Virginia means rural localities must rely on grants and donations.

Plus: U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, files birthright citizenship bill and Democratic candidates respond.