How data centers came to dominate politics in Maryland’s purplest county
Data center development has become a central political issue in Frederick County, where the Quantum Maryland campus is under construction near Adamstown. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater extended the county’s data center moratorium, rejected a proposed $110 million agreement with developer Catellus, and now faces a lawsuit alleging she improperly blocked development.
Frederick County has become the center of Maryland’s data center debate as the Quantum Maryland campus rises on the former Alcoa aluminum smelting site near Adamstown. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater has promoted stricter oversight, appointed a task force and extended the county’s data center moratorium through July 2027. County zoning changes nevertheless expanded the designated data center area, intensifying opposition from rural residents and preservation advocates.
Fitzwater initially promoted a proposed $110 million agreement with Catellus Development Corporation that would fund school renovations, recreation facilities, job training and farmland protections, but rejected the package after residents criticized it as a back-room deal. Catellus subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging that Fitzwater improperly used zoning authority to block development for political reasons and caused the company significant financial losses. Residents have also raised concerns about noise, land consumption and alleged impacts to well water and a local creek, while supporters point to tax revenue and potential economic benefits from the campus.