Frederick County Maryland rejects $110 Million from data centers to stop spread of data centers
Frederick County rejected a $110 million community benefits agreement offered by a data center developer because it would have prevented the county from adopting new zoning rules for at least eight years. The already-approved data center campus is still under construction, while residents and county officials continue debating how to manage the industry’s growth.
Frederick County, Maryland, rejected a proposed $110 million community benefits agreement from an unnamed data center developer. The package included $30 million for a new school, a fire truck for a volunteer company and $40 million for a community and recreation center, but it would have restricted the county from adopting new zoning rules for the data center campus for at least eight years.
Residents opposed the agreement, and the county executive withdrew support, saying a rapidly changing industry should not be shielded from future laws. The data center campus had already received approval, so construction is continuing despite the county’s decision. County officials say they will continue seeking community benefits, while some residents argue that rejecting the deal leaves the community with no compensation as development proceeds.