PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Government will host a public information session on data centers September 29 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the College of Southern Maryland’s Prince Frederick Campus, Building B, 115 J.W. Williams Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the event livestreamed on YouTube.
The session, titled Data Centers 101, aims to educate residents on data center operations and potential county impacts. Panelists and staff will answer submitted questions during the meeting, with follow-up responses posted online for those needing research. Advance registration is available at a Constant Contact link, and questions can be sent via the county website before, during or after the event. This gathering focuses solely on information sharing, without a public comment period or hearing status.
Calvert County officials emphasize no decisions have been reached on data center development, though recent permits filed September 5 with the Maryland Department of the Environment signal early interest in land and water use. The county prioritizes zoning updates to attract tech growth while safeguarding rural landscapes, restricting facilities to industrial zones I-1 and I-2 with setbacks of 200 feet from property lines and 500 feet from residences. These measures exceed a standard football field’s length to curb noise and visual effects.
Data centers house computer systems, telecommunications and storage for services like streaming or payment processing, ensuring quick data handling for sectors including healthcare and security. Operations involve servers generating heat, managed through air cooling or sustainable water sources such as gray water. Many facilities pursue net-zero energy via renewables, though high electricity demands raise grid concerns. Unlike bitcoin mining, which produces notable noise and carbon emissions, data centers face stricter local noise rules and insulation requirements.
In Calvert County, spanning 215 square miles with a focus on agriculture and tourism, such facilities could create jobs in technical roles and electricians, alongside tax revenue for schools and infrastructure. Nearby Frederick County has seen $50 million in recordation taxes from developments, funding community projects. Calvert’s five-year economic plan through 2031 highlights data centers as a growth area to broaden the tax base without heavy population influx, building on the county’s No. 1 digital county ranking in 2023 among peers under 150,000 residents. That accolade, from the Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties, praised innovations in service delivery and cybersecurity.
The push aligns with Maryland’s broader strategy. Governor Wes Moore has positioned the state as a data center hub, easing backup generator installations via the Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act. The Maryland Tech Council launched the Data Center Alliance of Maryland in August 2025, co-chaired by Calvert Economic Development Director Julie Oberg, to educate on job and tax potential amid a projected $500 billion national AI infrastructure investment by 2030. Proponents note stable power near sites like Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant, which employs over 700 and supports thousands of contractors, could enable direct co-location to boost efficiency.
Environmental reviews remain central. Constellation Energy, Calvert Cliffs’ owner, seeks Public Service Commission approval for grid-bypassing setups, arguing they cut transmission costs and enhance reliability. Utilities like Baltimore Gas and Electric counter that unchecked arrangements might raise ratepayer bills and strain the system. Labor unions and local delegations back the option, citing economic transformation with tens of millions in taxes. The county plans public meetings and Planning Commission reviews for any applications, including sign-in sheets and minutes.
Calvert’s approach draws from neighbors. Prince George’s County saw dozens rally against a Landover Mall site proposal in September 2025, voicing transparency and environmental worries. In Northern Virginia, Loudoun County’s data center boom has generated billions in revenue but sparked debates over farmland loss and energy use. Maryland’s 41 existing facilities, concentrated in markets like Frederick, underscore the Mid-Atlantic’s appeal due to D.C. proximity and fiber networks.
The session occurs amid zoning revisions to balance opportunity and preservation. Industrial zoning limits aim to shield open spaces, with traffic mostly tied to construction and staff. Enhanced fiber could lower expansion costs for underserved areas. For details, visit the county’s data center page, which includes FAQs on operations and distinctions from mining. Questions go to www.ChooseCalvert.com/DataCenters.
Calvert County, formed in 1654, maintains a $350 million budget funding public safety and education. Economic efforts, including a July 2025 five-year plan from Sage Policy Group, incorporate stakeholder input for resilient growth. The Department of Economic Development monitors trends, supporting small businesses with grants like $1.2 million in 2023. This session fits ongoing engagement, similar to September 30’s Prince Frederick Town Center hearing on land use.
As demand rises, Calvert positions itself cautiously. Quantum Loophole’s 2,100-acre Frederick project, linking to Virginia via a 40-mile fiber loop by mid-2025, exemplifies regional momentum. Local leaders view data centers as tools for workforce training and amenities, provided they align with rural values.