Natelli Holdings Presents Data Center And Regional Park Plans At Calvert Commissioners Meeting

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Representatives for Natelli Holdings presented their proposal to purchase 133 acres of county-owned property to build a data center at the March 24 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting.

Natelli Holdings Vice President Tom Natelli Jr. presented the company as family-owned and Maryland-based and highlighted his organization’s work across the Mid-Atlantic.

The proposed property is located at 10475, 10485 and 10495 Solomons Island Road, also known as the former Dominion laydown site. As part of the request, Natelli would be required to build a park in District 1, where the property is located, and include a $30 million investment in a park in their plans. Construction on the park would begin no later than 12 months after the property sale closes and would follow the Dominion Master Plan as practicable.

The property is located in District 1. The county’s updated zoning ordinances that incorporate language about data centers make districts 1 and 2 the most viable options in Calvert County.

The proposal includes several data center buildings in what they refer to as “Appeal Digital Park.”

Natelli’s presentation said that a third-party study concluded that development and construction of the facility will exceed $3 billion. This does not include any recordation tax, permit fees or other local fees. The study estimated county tax revenue of $3 million per year in the first two years for the county during the construction phase.

Representatives sought to address concerns around energy and water that follow data center projects, stating that data centers can help bring in revenue to update electrical grids, and said energy costs are rising due to Maryland’s reliance on electric over natural gas and because the outdated grids cannot sustain the demand. Natelli said part of the interest in the property is the proximity to wastewater treatment plants and would not rely on domestic or bay water for the facility but would instead attempt to use reclaimed water in their cooling system.

The public comment period was full after residents had time to review the presentation online prior to the meeting. Residents cited concerns about companies who don’t follow requirements and the extra demand a data center will put on the energy grid, especially in light of rising demand.

“Corporations wind up taxing people,” said one Chesapeake Beach resident. “The reason these builders are drawn to Calvert County is because land is relatively cheap.”

“All I can do now is resign myself to knowing that the 800 acres of forest and peace and quiet that belongs to my neighbor, Constellation, is now marketed for heavy industry,” said a Lusby resident, referencing the recent zoning change. The Lusby resident said he can clearly hear noise from the LNG plant in his home, two miles away from the plant, and said that even if a data center stayed at the requested 75 decibels, it would still add noise pollution. The resident asked the BOCC to revert the zoning area back to forest and farming.

Residents also continued to pressure the commissioners regarding transparency on the project and asked the BOCC to vote yes on Commissioner Hart’s two-year moratorium on data centers to give the public time to catch up.

The moratorium is being prepared for a vote in April.

---