No project in Unincorporated Howard County, but 1 nearby
Who decides here: the Howard County Council or Commissioners decides on zoning for land outside city and town limits.
Nearby (within 15 miles)
Local votes and rules
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
The county council passed the S.M.A.R.T. Siting Act (CB31-2026). It pauses new data center development through Nov. 2, 2027. An 11-member task force will study data centers and suggest rules on siting, water, power and noise within 12 months.
June 1, 2026Source
Built & runningBeing builtApproved, not built yetProposedStopped or cancelledHollow dot (when zoomed in): exact site not known yet, pin shows the town
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Unincorporated Howard 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 Howard County: Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. (company) or The Potomac Edison Company (company).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in Maryland.