Major data center in or near Landover, Maryland

Written By DeAngelo EPPS

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9/30/2025

By DeAngelo Epps
Director of Operations, The IMC Group
TheIMCGrp.com

Landover, Maryland stands at a crossroads. As tech giants look beyond traditional hubs to build the next generation of cloud data centers, our community has become a prime target — thanks to its strategic location, power infrastructure, and proximity to Washington, D.C. But while the promise of new jobs, tax revenue, and high-speed innovation sounds appealing, many residents are asking an important question: At what cost?

From rising energy demands and water usage to zoning impacts and neighborhood disruption, the push to bring a major data center to Landover has sparked both excitement and concern. This blog explores what’s really at stake — the potential benefits, the hidden trade-offs, and what our community can do to ensure that growth aligns with our long-term values and quality of life.

Context: Landover & Prince George’s County

Before diving into pros and cons, some relevant facts and trends:

  • Landover is in Prince George’s County, MD, in the DC metro area. Wikipedia

  • Utilities there include PEPCO for electricity, WSSC for water/sewer (for much of the county), and various communications/internet providers. landoverhillsmd.gov+2Prince George's

  • The county has already formed a “Qualified Data Center Task Force” to study data center impacts (energy, environmental, quality-of-life) and guide future policy. pgccouncil.us

  • There is active community concern regarding a data center proposal at the old Landover Mall site; local residents have rallied against it, pointing out concerns over strain on utilities, proximity to residences, etc. WTOP News+2Maryland Matters+2

  • Maryland as a state has been pushing to make permitting and backup generator rules more favorable for data center development (e.g. the 2024 Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act). DataCenterKnowledge+2NAIOP Maryland Chapter+2

  • At the same time, state-level studies and stakeholder groups are raising concerns about energy, water, and environmental risks. GovDelivery+3Maryland General Assembly+3Maryland Matters+3

So it’s a live policy arena with both economic incentives and community pushback.

Pros (Benefits) for Landover / PG County

Here are the likely upside potentials, specific to your area:

BenefitHow It May Apply LocallyNotes / Conditions

Economic & tax revenue boostA large data center would generate property taxes, business taxes, and possibly “host fees” to the county.But much depends on how generous tax abatements or incentives are negotiated.

Job creation (construction + ongoing)Construction work, contracts with local firms (electrical, plumbing, site prep)Many operational jobs are specialized (IT, facility ops) and may not go to local residents without training.

Infrastructure upgradesThe utility and broadband infrastructure may be upgraded (new substations, fiber, road improvements)Those upgrades could benefit surrounding neighborhoods by improving reliability and capacity.

Tech/innovation ecosystem drawAttracting a major data player could bring more tech firms, startups, or related support servicesCould help diversify the local economy beyond government or retail.

Strategic location advantageLandover is already in the DC metro region; proximity to federal and private customers may make it a favorable siteThe state and county actively promote Maryland as a data center destination. business.maryland.gov+2Data Center Frontier+2

Cons / Risks (Challenges) for Landover

Here are the potential downsides, especially pronounced in a suburban / residential-adjacent area:

Risk / ProblemParticularly Relevant to LandoverMechanisms & Evidence

Electric grid stress & higher costsA hyperscale data center draws substantial, continuous power. It could strain local distribution lines or require upgrades borne by ratepayers.In Maryland, data centers are already being flagged as driving up capacity and transmission costs. Maryland Matters+2GovDelivery+2

Water and cooling demandMany data centers use water-cooled systems. In a region where water supply is shared with residential needs, that can cause stress.State studies warn data centers use huge volumes of water. Maryland General Assembly+2WYPR+2

Noise, heat, emissions, and generator pollutionBackup generators will likely be used (for outages or testing), which emit diesel fumes and noise. Cooling systems also produce heat and operational noise.Local groups have expressed concern about proximity to residential areas (e.g. near the old mall). WTOP News+1

Aesthetic / land use and neighborhood disruptionLarge data centers are often windowless, blocky, and can dominate the visual landscape. If placed near homes, schools, or parks, they might lower property appeal.Community opposition already references “intentional harm” from proximity. WTOP News

Incentives may reduce public benefitIf the operator negotiates heavy tax breaks, the net gain to the county may be less than anticipated.This is a common concern in many jurisdictions; incentive packages need careful negotiation.

Limited local recruitment / equity issuesThe workforce needed to run such a facility may require specialized skills, which local residents may lack access to.Without workforce development programs, many high-skilled jobs may go to outsiders.

Risk if project scales back / failsIf demand declines or the company exits, the community could be left with underutilized infrastructure or “white elephant” buildings.This risk exists everywhere; the burden falls on local government and taxpayers if cleanup or repurposing is needed.

Policy & regulatory uncertaintyAs county and state policies evolve (e.g. moratoriums, task force recommendations), future restrictions or added costs could affect operations or expansion.Prince George’s County has already paused data center approvals and created a task force. NBC4 Washington+2pgccouncil.us+2

As Landover weighs the promise of progress against the realities of development, our community’s voice has never mattered more. A major data center could bring opportunity — jobs, infrastructure, and visibility — but only if it’s built with transparency, accountability, and respect for those who call this place home.

Growth should never come at the expense of clean air, affordable utilities, or neighborhood character. The path forward isn’t simply “for” or “against” — it’s about ensuring that every decision reflects balance, foresight, and fairness. If we get this right, Landover can become a model for smart, sustainable innovation — one where technology serves the people, not the other way around.

DeAngelo EPPS