Delegation presses Calvert County on data‑center transparency and NDA after slide removal

Delegation members at the presentation raised pointed questions about a removed slide related to a potential payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax (PILOT) pilot for a data center and an accompanying nondisclosure agreement.

Delegate Mark Fisher asked whether the county had entered into an NDA and whether any proposed data center would sit on county property in southern Lusby; county officials replied there are "no proposed data centers on any county property" but acknowledged the county had signed a binding nondisclosure agreement that is not with a data‑center company. Fisher urged greater transparency and recommended that any future proposal go through an open request for proposals rather than single‑sourcing.

Why it matters: Delegates warned that large data centers can have significant electricity demands. Fisher said, depending on size and computing hardware, "[a data center] could potentially use as much power as all the homes in Calvert County combined," and he expressed concern about grid capacity and rising energy bills in the region.

County officials responded that the subject has been discussed previously across the community, that the NDA limits public discussion of some details, and that any tax‑abatement or PILOT would be a future decision if a formal opportunity arises. A caller during public comment reiterated concerns about the NDA and lack of transparency.

What’s next: Delegation members asked for clearer disclosure from the county about the parties to the NDA and confirmation that county property is not involved; they emphasized the importance of RFPs, community involvement and evaluation of energy‑supply implications before any tax relief is considered.

Quotes: "Is the county's intent to offer a tax abatement to a data center at some point?" Delegate Mark Fisher asked. County staff: "That would be a future discussion if there was an opportunity."