Protesters against proposed Fort Meade data center gather outside city hall

A group of protesters gathered outside Fort Meade City Hall to voice their opposition to a proposed 4.4 million square foot data center project. Residents like Kimberly Edmond, Raul Alfonso, and Agustin Lozan expressed concerns about potential health and environmental issues, as well as the facility's water usage. However, Fort Meade Mayor Jaret Landon Williams cited the project's tax revenue benefits for the city's infrastructure. Developers from Stonebridge tried to address concerns, noting the use of a closed-loop system for water. The mayor has not yet made a final decision, and some protesters argued the decision should be made through a city-wide referendum rather than just a commission vote.