The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) issues the following statement regarding Zoning Ordinance updates to allow for expanded industrial use to include potential data center development in Calvert County:
Calvert County Government is currently exploring the potential for data center development, but it’s important to clarify that no decisions have been made at this time. The county cannot influence specific deals related to data centers; instead, we are focusing on updating our policies and zoning to remain open to opportunities if they arise. We acknowledge the increasing demand for data centers in Maryland and the possible economic benefits.
The Calvert County Department of Economic Development aims to attract high-tech industries while ensuring responsible growth that respects the community's rural character. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance economic development and high-paying job creation in Calvert County. The BOCC recognizes the potential economic opportunities that data centers could bring to our community.
Residents are more connected than ever, using digital apps and tools on phones, TVs, computers and other devices. On average, the American household now has 21 internet-connected devices, and many industries rely on data for business. This increased connectivity drives the need to process large amounts of data through the cloud, which is supported by data centers—physical facilities providing essential infrastructure for our modern lives and economy.
The environment remains a top priority for our county. We will continue to assess any potential environmental impacts and ensure compliance with state and local regulations. While we are committed to managing growth responsibly, we understand the need to attract high-tech industries like data centers would create more high-paying job opportunities for Calvert County residents and generate additional tax revenue. Our goal is to encourage development that enhances our economy while protecting the small-town rural lifestyle valued by the majority of our residents. This approach will help to preserve the open spaces and rural character that define Calvert County.
The Data Center Coalition will present an overview of the data center industry at the next BOCC meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Residents are invited to attend. The meeting will take place in the Commissioners Hearing Room at the Calvert County Circuit Courthouse, located at 175 Main St., Prince Frederick. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live on the Calvert County Government YouTube page (www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov) and broadcast on Comcast channel 1070 HD. If you need accommodations due to a disability or linguistic barriers, please contact the BOCC office at 410-535-1600, ext. 2202, or TTY 1-800-735-2258.
For more information, please visit www.ChooseCalvert.com/DataCenters.
