Activist Stalls $5 Billion Data Center in Cash-Strapped County

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In a significant development, left-wing activist Taylor Frazier McCollum has helped stall a $5 billion data center project in Prince George’s County, Maryland, a region grappling with a $130 million budget deficit. McCollum, who gathered over 25,000 signatures for a campaign against the project, argues that money is a made-up concept and that the environment should take precedence over economic gains.

Environmental Concerns Over Data Center

The proposed data center, which was set to be built on the site of a closed shopping mall since 2002, has drawn strong opposition from McCollum. She expressed her dismay upon learning of the project, stating, “Oh, hell no.” McCollum questioned the rationale behind bringing water-polluting and diesel-generating facilities close to residential areas, emphasizing that such developments “just didn’t make sense to me.”

Support for Economic Growth

On the other hand, Kelly Schulz, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council, defends the project, stating that it would bolster the county’s tax revenue and create high-paying jobs. Schulz argues that data centers are essential for Prince George’s County to remain a major digital hub, bringing investment and a diversified tax base that benefits residents for decades.

Alternative Plans for Land Use

McCollum has suggested using the land for a trampoline park, referencing the recent departure of Six Flags from the area. She previously worked at a waxing center and transitioned into activism. The anti-data center movement is not unique to Prince George’s County; it has spread across the U.S., with more than 400 local groups actively opposing new facilities.

Other Communities Benefit from Data Centers

While some communities resist data centers, others have embraced them. For instance, teacher salaries in Loudoun County, Virginia, rose 40% from 2010 to 2023, and Meta’s data center expansion in Richland Parish, Louisiana, helped fund $50,000 teacher bonuses. Superintendent Sheldon Jones of Richland Parish School District noted that such bonuses attract top educators, potentially transforming the school district into one of the best in the region.

Source: Daily Wire

Written by

Connor Davis