The Facts
Why This Matters
Industrial-scale data centers in a rural county like ours raise serious questions that deserve honest answers. Here's what we know.
Large data centers can consume millions of gallons of water daily for cooling. Calvert's groundwater supply is a finite, shared resource that feeds our wells, our farms, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
A single large data center campus can consume more electricity than a small city, potentially driving up costs for every ratepayer in Calvert County.
Backup generators and cooling systems run around the clock. Noise and air quality impacts don't stop at property lines — they affect every nearby home, school, and farm.
A nondisclosure agreement between our county government and Amazon Web Services kept residents in the dark about what was being planned. Public decisions should be made in public.
Timeline of Events
Updated Zoning Ordinance Takes Effect
After a two-year public process, Calvert County's zoning limits data centers to industrial zones (I-1 and I-2) with 200-foot setbacks from property lines and 400 feet from residential buildings.
Permit Application Filed with MDE
A permit application for "Minut Developers LLC — Data Center" at 1650 Calvert Cliffs Parkway in Lusby is filed with the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Commissioners Advance Stricter Requirements
At a special meeting, the Board moves to require closed-loop cooling, ban groundwater drilling for cooling, mandate developer-funded infrastructure, and enforce Tier 4 generator standards.
AWS Job Postings Spark Alarm
Job postings for Amazon Web Services data center construction roles in Lusby surface online, triggering immediate community concern about a project residents knew nothing about.
Unanimous Vote to Explore Moratorium
The Board of County Commissioners votes unanimously to begin the formal process of exploring a 24-month moratorium on all data center approvals, permits, and construction authorizations.
Natelli Holdings Proposes Appeal Digital Park
Natelli Holdings presents a $3 billion data center proposal to the BOCC for ~133 acres of county-owned land at the former Dominion laydown site in Lusby, bundled with a $30 million regional park investment.
AWS Open House & Community Rally
Amazon hosts a community open house at Calvert Middle School while residents organize a rally at Fox Run & Chesapeake Blvd to demand transparency and accountability before any data center development moves forward.
Current Zoning Rules
As of March 2025, Calvert County's zoning ordinance includes these requirements for data centers:
Industrial zones only — Data centers are only permitted in I-1 (Light Industrial/Mixed Use) and I-2 (Heavy Industrial) districts
200-foot setback from all property lines
400-foot minimum distance from any lot with an existing residential building or active residential building permit
Noise mitigation and design requirements
Proposed Additional Requirements (2026)
- + Closed-loop cooling systems required
- + No groundwater drilling for cooling purposes
- + Developers must fund all infrastructure upgrades
- + Tier 4 generator standards to reduce emissions
Read the AWS Community Meeting Transcript
See exactly what Amazon Web Services told Calvert County residents about their proposed data center project — in their own words.
Read the Full Transcript →County Resources
Official information from Calvert County government on data center development.
Calvert County Data Centers Info Page
Official county page with current zoning rules, FAQs, downloadable documents, and information on AWS and Natelli Holdings proposals.
choosecalvert.com →Informed citizens make better decisions.
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