Groundbreaking Legislation Expands County’s Economic Development Opportunities
The Prince George’s County Council, during session on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, enacted CB-001-2021, legislation defining a new use, Qualified Data Centers, in the Prince George’s Zoning Ordinance and permitting the use in specified zones.
Qualified Data Centers are used to house computer systems, computer storage equipment, and associated infrastructure that businesses or other organizations use to organize, process, store, and disseminate large amounts of data.
Council Member Derrick L. Davis (D – District 6), sponsor of the legislation, says the measure bolsters economic growth and job creation in Prince George’s County.
“Council Bill - 001 supports the County’s broader economic development strategy by attracting Qualified Data Centers which provide additional jobs and expand the County’s commercial tax base. Technological innovations are rapidly changing our national economy, and Prince George’s County must adapt and keep pace. This legislation levels the playing field and enables Prince George’s County to fully benefit from the opportunities Qualified Data Centers present.”
State and County legislation passed last year provided important tax incentives and streamlined the entitlement process, positioning Prince George’s County to compete for data centers that could exceed $1billion in private investment.
Currently, Northern Virginia is the largest market for data center space in the nation, with an estimated 70-percent of the world’s Internet traffic flowing through data centers within the state.
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