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Public commenter reads firm email alleging data-center plans at Luke Mill site; officials offer no formal response
Summary
During public comment a resident read from an email showing an energy firm planned a data center as the buyer of electric and thermal energy for the Maryland mill site and said the county granted a 180‑day lease option on the West Virginia side; the board did not take formal action on the claim.
During the public-comment period a Frostburg resident, Kitpepper Lehi Colette, raised concerns about the Luke Mill site and read from a company email she obtained by public-records request. The email she cited was dated July 17 and—she said—was copied to county staff including "Adam and Jeff Barclay." The excerpt she read states that her firm had executed an option to lease land on the West Virginia side of the mill property to establish a hybrid electric cogeneration plant and that the electric and thermal energy buyer "will be a data center to be located on the Maryland site of the mill site."
The commenter said the county had previously characterized the Luke Mill plans as "not a data center," but that the email indicates data-center intent as recently as July 17, 2025. She urged the commission to be transparent about any data-center plans and to ensure the public understands what uses are being pursued at the mill property.
No county official in the meeting contradicted or confirmed the email's assertions during the public-comment period; the chair thanked the commenter and moved on to closing business. The county record and any contracts or leases should be consulted for verification of the lease and of named participants.
