The Public Policy Committee follows a variety of topics from local, state and federal governments. Here is one of the items of note we’re following:
Legislative Update: Frederick County Data Center Staff Report
We want to share with readers a recent staff report issued on December 31, 2025, by the Frederick County Planning Staff, examining the potential development of data centers in Frederick County.
This 21-page report provides a comprehensive overview of data center development, addressing a wide range of considerations including land use and zoning, infrastructure needs, utilities and power demand, environmental and community impacts, transportation, and long-term fiscal implications. The report is intended to inform policymakers as the County looks ahead to 2026, when it may begin to formally consider whether — and under what conditions — data center development could be appropriate.
Importantly, the report also explores how data centers could factor into the County’s broader fiscal strategy, particularly as local leaders assess options to meet growing service demands while balancing long-term financial sustainability.
A link to the report can be found here: *PC01-07-26_DataCenterFactSheet.pdf
We encourage interested stakeholders to review the report in full to better understand the scope, opportunities, and challenges associated with data center development in Frederick County.