Montgomery County Council invites residents to Feb. 3 public meeting on data centers

Montgomery County Council President Natalie Fanny Gonzalez and Vice President Marilyn Balcom invited residents to a public meeting on data centers set for Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. at the County Executive Building.

The council leaders said the session will bring county residents and the County Executive together to discuss data centers’ local impacts. "We're doing a community event with a county executive on February 3 at 7PM at the County Executive Building," Gonzalez said, announcing the date, time and place.

Marilyn Balcom framed the meeting as part of a broader conversation about data centers, saying: "It's been a discussion in the state and the county and throughout our country." Balcom added that officials want to hear residents' views: "We wanna hear your thoughts, your concerns, and how Montgomery County should move forward." Laurie Ann Sales identified herself during the announcement as a Montgomery County Council Member at Large.

The announcement did not include proposed ordinances, votes, funding amounts or technical details about any specific data center projects. Council members described the event as an opportunity to listen to community concerns and gather input ahead of any future decisions.

The meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. in the County Executive Building; the council did not specify an agenda beyond a community discussion of data centers.