Water Cooling Could Be Key to Opening Virginia’s ‘Digital Gateway’ A data center from a big operator, but with a smaller footprint, and with greatly reduced water consumption, could provide a revenue boon for residents of rural Virginia. Just how much of a sacrifice would it be? It may not be called the Lee Highway for much longer, as counties seeking to attract commercial developments — data centers foremost among them — know it isn’t wise, in this day and age, to commemorate the commanding general of a rebellion against the United States. But there’s a little cove of flattened land in Fauquier County, Virginia, southwest of Washington, DC, tucked in the bend, shaped like the base of a paper clip, where US Highways 15 and 17 meet to form a cloverleaf.