One of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s most-asked questions is, “Why does the Chamber support the current data center development on the former Eastalco property in Adamstown?”
To answer that question, it helps to establish the role these facilities play in our lives. Our communities rely on a data driven economy, even on the local level. Additionally, each and every one of us utilizes digital devices in some way whether it’s streaming a movie, storing family photos, or using artificial intelligence tools at work.
Generally, we use this technology without an understanding of the complex processes that make it all possible. Data centers are the secure facilities that hold the advanced server farms and signal processors necessary to receive, manage, manipulate, process, and transmit all this information. As an increasing number of people regularly access these technologies, the need for more data centers will grow with it.
So why here?
Data center development has been prevalent in Northern Virginia for decades, and with it, seriously negative consequences have been created including:
- Ugly, massive windowless structures surrounded by acres of nearly empty parking lots.
- A significant increase in stress on existing electrical grids and local water supply for equipment cooling.
- Emergency generators are necessary as backup when the electricity flow is interrupted.
- Use conflicts with nearby residential communities.
All of that is enough to make you wonder why any local elected official would permit them in Frederick County, but we believe the answer comes down to both need and opportunity. Demand for data storage and processing is expected to increase, and until technology evolves to require less infrastructure, we’ll need more of these centers. Additionally, these facilities generate a massive amount of property tax revenue. Even while still under construction, the Quantum Frederick project has already paid tens of millions of dollars in taxes. Historically, Frederick County’s residential taxpayers have long carried the majority of the load for funding county services so this diversification of tax base is important.
Why the Eastalco site?
The former Eastalco aluminum smelting site offers several unique advantages:
- Electricity: Data centers require substantial electricity, and the Eastalco site used to be a major electrical user. In fact, Potomac Edison listed Eastalco as their largest consumer of electricity when the smelters were in operation.
- Water: Developers can use potable or non-potable water, since it flows through closed loop systems when cooling servers and processors. The nearby McKinney Wastewater Plant and existing grey water line provide that access without disrupting the surrounding need.
- Land: This specific site has large, open, relatively accessible parcels that can support facilities 400,000 square feet or more. Much of the land is designated as a brownfield, since the old aluminum plant produced byproducts that made its way into the ground, making it difficult to develop it for other uses. However, large buildings and parking lots can safely cover and contain those areas.
- Buffers: Since these facilities need to operate 24/7, emergency backup generators are unfortunately unavoidable. This means that dense residential zoning nearby can be a challenge. The Eastalco site is surrounded by active agricultural land, creating a natural buffer to protect residential neighborhoods and communities from noise and disruption.
Community Concerns
It’s natural for a project of this scale to generate passionate discussion. From the Industrial Age to the modern digital era, advancements in technology have been met with resistance. In this case, there have also been some important context. The initial site developer established a history of failing to fulfill environmental stewardship commitments, and the local community was left with a bad taste for development. That entity is no longer associated with the project, and regulatory agencies have since resolved all past issues. Other concerns are connected to the broader regional energy infrastructure. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are the people who regulate the national power grid. The FERC has authorized PJM Interconnect to initiate the design and construction of a new major transmission line carrying power from Pennsylvania through Maryland and into Virginia, in part to serve Virginia’s data center growth. Some of those opposed to this project, many of whom live in the path of the new transmission corridor, worry that Frederick’s data center development could contribute to future transmission needs.
The Chamber’s Perspective
The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce continues to support the data center campus in Adamstown because we believe it represents a responsible use of the Eastalco site and a long-term investment in the county’s economic future. Specifically:
- This type of technology project is important, both to position the county for future economic competitiveness, but also to attract new investment.
- The new tax revenue will balance the county’s tax base, and support public services.
- The Eastalco site, once home to heavy industrial operation, is the perfect location for a cleaner and self-contained use
- Frederick County has an opportunity to play a leading role in developing the information technology infrastructure for the future.
As with any major change, differing perspectives are part of the process. The Chamber’s goal is always to contribute to an informed conversation about Frederick County can meet future needs while preserving the character of our community. You can click the links below for more information.
– Rick Weldon, President & CEO
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.