1 data center project in Unincorporated Charles County
Who decides here: the Charles County Council or Commissioners decides on zoning for land outside city and town limits.
In Unincorporated Charles County
Local votes and rules
🗺️ Zoning change
County commissioners unanimously dropped the zoning change that would have allowed data centers. They will wait for the state's data center report, and staff will come back with options for a task force and a consultant. Any new rules would need a new bill.
✋ Turned down
The planning commission voted unanimously, for the second time, to recommend rejecting a zoning change (ZTA 25-187) that would set where and how data centers could be built. The first time was March 2, 2026. It asked for limits on size, no drinking water for cooling, and community benefit deals.
✋ Turned down
Residents sent in 24 requests for a data center pause and 7 for a ban. None moved forward. County officials said county law does not yet allow data centers to be built.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Unincorporated Charles County. - Go to county meetings.
Anyone can speak. Big projects usually need a public hearing. - Ask questions in writing.
Use our checklist.
🔔 Get told first
⚡ Your electric company
Depending on where you live in Unincorporated Charles County: Virginia Electric & Power Co. (company) or Southern Maryland Electric Co-op Inc. (co-op (owned by its members)) or Northern Neck Electric Co-op, Inc. (co-op (owned by its members)).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in Maryland.
🙋 Open tasks here
- Will Charles County adopt rules that allow data centers?
- How much water would the campus use?
- How much of the plant's power would stay on the public grid?