Charles County To Hold Public Hearing On Data Center Zoning Amendment

The Charles County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment to establish a new land-use category for data centers. A large data center project could bring significant economic benefits to the county, including thousands of construction jobs, $775 million in economic activity, and $18 million in state tax revenue during the building phase. Once operational, the facility could support 500 permanent jobs, $31 million in annual compensation, and $14 million in recurring state tax revenue. The proposed amendment would allow data centers in certain commercial, industrial, and rural lands, with detailed requirements to mitigate impacts on nearby neighborhoods and the environment. Residents are encouraged to attend or participate virtually to share their views.