Maryland Leaders View Tech, Data Centers As Keys to State’s Economic Future
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) pushes for the importance of tech and data as keys to Maryland’s economic growth. However, the governor was reportedly “disappointed” by a 2023 decision by the Public Service Commission, to not grant an exemption to Quantum Loophole for using diesel generators.
Quantum Loophole, a Frederick-based data company with the goal of connecting western Maryland with northern Virginia’s data capabilities, is planning a site that would bring nearly $200 million in state taxes and over $40 million in local taxes. When finished the company plans to provide 1,700 jobs.
The company recently broke ground on a 600-acre nature reserve in Frederick to help offset their carbon footprint while also creating a resource for the public.
Environmentalists often cite the high energy and water consumption of data centers and their reliance on backup diesel or fossil fuel generators as reasons to oppose the data centers.
However, in the recently adjourned legislative session, Moore supported multiple bills to expedite data center development and give the state a foothold in the growing industry.
“Projects that diversify our economy and drive growth are what we need in Maryland. We must support and partner with emerging industries as they look to expand into our communities,” Moore said in a statement to The Frederick News-Post in November 2023.
Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Schulz, who now heads the Maryland Tech Council, also weighed in on the importance of the state’s tech innovations and investments.
“These industries continue to be promising engines for Maryland’s progress, especially as the attention generated by developing technologies such as artificial intelligence has brought significant investments and buzz for our state,” Schulz said.
NOAA, NASA Speak, Recruit at DuVal High School
On April 23, employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) visited DuVal High School to discuss their career paths and encourage them to consider careers with the agencies.
NOAA Captain Rebecca Waddington, a pilot who helps to track hurricanes and has the unofficial job title of “hurricane hunter,” said she was in awe of the flight simulation technology that the students had in their classroom.
Nipa Shah, NASA Goddard’s deputy director for Technology and Research Investments declared the DuVal students will be changemakers in the field of science and engineering.
“That is our future. It’s our future scientists. It’s our future engineers. They are going to be solving the problems of tomorrow, and we’re very excited to support it,” said Shah. “If you talk to these students, you’ll appreciate how strong this program has served them in terms of understanding the engineering design process, aerospace and avionics engineering. They are absolutely poised for college and for the workforce.”
The visit came shortly after the school’s aerospace engineering and aviation technology program was awarded a Magna award by the American School Board Journal, in part for giving students the opportunity to intern with industry partners and gain key understanding before even applying for college. Their program was one of three grand MAGNA winners nationwide.
“If [students] like it, they get a huge head start over 99% of the other students in the country before they get to college,” said Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.)
We have previously covered NASA’s outreach efforts at DuVal High School; read more here.
Sheriff, Congressman Support Local Literacy Efforts
To celebrate World Book Day on April 23, Prince George’s County Sheriff John D.B. Carr (D) officially launched his “Men Who Read” campaign in a press conference at his headquarters in Upper Marlboro. The sheriff’s goal is to find 100 men to take the pledge and show the importance of reading to improve educational and life outcomes for boys and young men in the county.
“Statistically, our boys are not reading at the same level as our girls. Studies also show that our girls are more likely to achieve greater educational outcomes than our boys,” said Carr. “We must break the stereotype of boys [feeling that] reading is not cool nor is it masculine enough. We must instill in our young boys that reading is knowledge and knowledge is power!”
Just after World Book Day, Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) presented a check to the Bladensburg library to make books more accessible for surrounding communities, particularly those who can’t get to the library.
With $2.2 million in congressional funding, a mobile library will be created to directly deliver internet access, technology, books, and library services to underserved communities and neighborhoods that do not have an accessible permanent public library, such as Langley Park, Capitol Heights, Suitland, Langley Park, and Oxon Hill.
This program is expected to annually hold 150 outreach events, provide 1,560 service hours, facilitate 10,000+ WiFi sessions, offer over 1,800 career services consultations, and circulate upwards of 1,300 Online 2Go Chromebooks with built-in internet service.
The mobile library expands Prince George’s County Municipal Library System’s (PGCMLS) efforts to bridge the digital divide, with over 116,000 residents lacking home broadband access per the 2020 census.
“The Library is the ultimate connector in the local community,” said then-PGCMLS Board of Library Trustees President Toni A. Smith in a 2023 statement, who remains on the Board of Trustees. “Bringing the Library directly to the people who need services and internet access will have a positive, multi-generational impact on families, Prince George’s County, and the state.”
If you would like to get involved with Sheriff Carr’s “Men Who Read” Campaign, please contact
the Office of the Sheriff at 301-780-7360 or email his office at KMJones@co.pg.md.us.