Pocomoke City Introduced Potential Moratorium On Data Centers

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. – During a recent mayor and council meeting on September 8th, Pocomoke city officials proposed a moratorium on data centers, joining the growing push back against the computing infrastructure in Worcester County.

Pocomoke officials expressed concerns similar to those of Worcester County officials, such as Eric Fiori, citing energy and water consumption as main issues for the county.

“If you allow a data center to go in there, they employ very few people.” Said Fiori. “They use every resource as possibly available. And even even the tax burdens are not significant like it would be in multiple businesses in the industrial park.”

The moratorium would mean that the planning and zoning department would not accept or process applications for data centers, during the duration it is in effect.

Worcester County Board of Commissioners President Ted Elder, has been vocal about his concerns regarding data centers in the region.

“So we don’t have the power grid to supply that kind of power that is required.” Said Elder. “Also the water water usage would detract from our farming, irrigation and the water to supply the people.”

Pocomoke Officials will continue to discuss the temporary moratorium, now that it has been introduced in session. Once adopted, the new regulations would take immediate effect, and would last around a year, with the council having the ability to modify or extend the time period. Worcester County currently has their own moratorium in effect, but Pocomoke City has it’s own board of zoning, leading to their separate push for regulations.