2025 Annual Report - Report - Page 33
NEW PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES
INTRODUCTION AND DISCUSSION OF
ZTA FOR DATA CENTERS
An initiation of the Zoning Text
Amendment (ZTA) process was started to
evaluate data centers as a permitted land
use in Charles County. Data centers are
essential to the modern digital economy,
supporting everything from online banking and streaming services to telemedicine
and remote work. With demand growing
— especially due to AI applications — the
County is exploring how these facilities
could fit into the community.
Data centers offer significant benefits, including commercial tax revenue,
high-paying construction and operational
jobs, and minimal demand on
public services such as
schools, roads, and
parks.
They can also foster community
partnerships that enhance technology,
education, and workforce development programs.
At the same time, Charles County is mindful of potential
impacts. Data centers require access to electricity, water for
cooling, and fiber, and large facilities can create noise and
visual impacts. To mitigate these concerns, proposed locations will prioritize sustainability, energy-efficient cooling
systems, soundproofing, strategic site placement, and natural
buffers.
The County is committed to keeping the community informed
and engaged. Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are
encouraged to review resources, ask questions, and share
input as Charles County carefully considers the potential economic, technological, and community impacts of data center
development.
Learn more: Charles-County-MD.
civilspace.io/en/projects/
data-centers-overview
PURPOSE
AND DESIGN
Developed by the Office of
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the
Media Services Division, the project aims to:
Internal Count y staff and external communit y representatives came together for an inclusive and
transparent process. Understanding the priorit y of
community outreach, an in-person meeting was held
in Bryans Road to gather initial perspectives, as well
as a virtual meeting and online engagement surveys.
• Educate — Increase awareness of existing resources
and programs available to residents in Bryans Road
and Indian Head.
• Engage — Create accessible opportunities for dialogue
between residents and County Government on needs,
challenges, and opportunities.
• Empower — Ensure residents have an active role in
shaping solutions.
• Implement — Deliver projects that directly support
Commissioner’s Goals and Objectives and provide
tangible community benefits.
Learn more: Charles-County-MD.
civilspace.io/en/projects/
collaborative-community-improvement-project-bryans-road
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Charles County Government Annual Report • 2025
In 2024, the Charles County Board of Commissioners
selected Bryans Road and Indian Head as the pilot community for the Collaborative Community Engagement
Project — a new initiative designed to streng then
relationships bet ween count y leadership, depar tments, and residents. This project recognizes that
sustainable progress requires two-way communication, trust-building, and genuine collaboration with the
people most directly impacted by County programs
and policies.
