Harrington blocks one data center, but a larger Delaware project remains a mystery
Harrington City Council unanimously rejected a zoning change for a proposed 24-megawatt data center, citing resident concerns about electricity costs, water usage, and noise. Meanwhile, the status of a larger, unnamed 100-megawatt data center project somewhere in Kent County remains unknown.
The Harrington City Council in downstate Delaware has unanimously voted against a zoning change that would have permitted a proposed 24-megawatt data center at the former Harrington Logistics property. This decision applies only within Harrington city limits, marking a setback for data center development in the area.
Vice Mayor Darrin Simpson stated that the council lacked sufficient information and that the high water and electricity usage would not benefit the city. Residents had previously raised concerns about potential electricity costs, noise, and other environmental impacts associated with the facility. The city had been considering its data center ordinance for approximately 10 months.
Separately, Technical.ly previously reported on Delmarva Power records indicating an unnamed 100-megawatt data center project somewhere in Kent County. The developer and precise location of this larger project are still unknown, leaving its status unaffected by Harrington's vote. Kent County maintains its own data center ordinance, which applies to unincorporated land and addresses issues such as noise, setbacks, cooling, and water requirements.
This vote by Harrington City Council follows a broader trend of development challenges in Delaware, including state regulators' earlier decision to block "Project Washington" near Delaware City.