Maryland Tech Council plans tech networks for Western Maryland; council hears data center discussion

Kelly Schultz, former Maryland Secretary of Commerce and current Maryland Tech Council leader, briefed the Hagerstown City Council on the council's work and plans to expand technology networks into the state's rural regions.

Schultz said Maryland Tech Council represents both life sciences and broad technology sectors and that a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development grant will fund tech networks in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. "Once they start putting that money through, within probably the next month, be starting a tech network in Western Maryland and a tech network on the Eastern Shore," Schultz said. She told the council the networks will add staff "boots on the ground" for events, networking and training in rural areas.

Schultz described the council as an industry advocate and connector: "Maryland Tech Council is the largest tech association, trade association in the state," she said, and noted the group represents a spectrum from IT and cyber to energy, life sciences and data centers. She said the state has more than 10,000 technology and life-sciences businesses employing about 400,000 workers.

Councilmembers asked about data centers, local impacts and resident opposition. Schultz said data centers are capital‑ and energy‑intensive but typically generate smaller local employee bases, and she described ways operators manage water and backup power. "One of the cons that some of the people that are opposed to data centers call out is they do utilize backup diesel generators," she said, while also noting industry developments such as battery storage and microgrid opportunities. She suggested local leaders and community members need clear information about what data centers entail.

Schultz offered to return with more detail and to introduce the council to the Maryland Tech Council staff who will lead the local network effort once the USDA funds are deployed.