Frederick Digital Campus developer announces transformative $110 million community benefits agreement in partnership with Frederick County
Agreement secures unprecedented direct community investment for Frederick County and represents the largest community benefits agreement between a data center and host community in American history.
Frederick, Md. – September 1, 2026 – Today, in partnership with Frederick County, Catellus Real Estate Development, L.P. (Catellus) announced a landmark community benefits agreement that will immediately deliver more than $110 million in direct investments to the Frederick County community. The agreement is the largest of its kind negotiated between a data center developer and a host community in the United States. This direct investment is in addition to the projected $215 million in annual tax revenue the campus is expected to generate and the thousands of jobs it continues to create.
Under the agreement, Catellus, the developer of the Frederick Digital Campus (FDC), is committing over $110 million to fund major, community-driven initiatives across Frederick County, including construction and renovations for Carroll Manor Elementary School and a new fire engine for New Carroll Manor Fire Department.
In addition to direct monetary investment, Catellus will place a conservation easement on 443 acres of land for permanent nature reserve areas, reduce its planned density by almost 20% – 3.3 million square feet – and reduce potable water consumption by 80% once the campus’ reclaimed water system is complete.
Key funding priorities include the development and construction of new academic, recreation, and workforce training projects, including:
- $30,000,000 for design and construction for renovations to Carroll Manor Elementary School
- $1,000,000 for a New Carroll Manor Fire Department engine and training programs
- $30,000,000 for the construction of an Adamstown Community Recreation Center and an Adamstown Regional Park
- $10,000,000 to fund Carroll Manor Recreation Council youth recreation facilities
- $10,000,000 for the construction of hiker/biker trails and perimeter berming
- $14,500,000 to fund a workforce development training center
- $5,000,000 to fund a community solar project on land provided by the Frederick Digital Campus
- $10,500,000 for the purchase of agricultural preservation easements on 1,312 acres
“After hundreds of meetings with community groups, residents and businesses, we have listened to the Frederick County community, and this agreement reflects what we heard: invest in schools, create opportunities for local workers, protect open space, and ensure the benefits of growth are visible and lasting. We’re proud to commit more than $110 million to renovate Carroll Manor Elementary School, expand parks and recreation, workforce development, community solar, public-safety equipment, and permanent conservation – on top of the jobs, economic activity, and tax revenue the Frederick Digital Campus is already generating.”
These commitments are separate from the County’s substantial projected tax and fee revenue associated with the project. An economic analysis found that the planned campus will support 8,100 local jobs during the remaining construction period and 9,800 ongoing jobs following completion of the facility. The campus is slated to generate approximately $5 billion in annual countywide economic activity and produce approximately $215 million annually in County tax and fee revenue once fully operational.
As of this morning, Catellus has petitioned the County Executive’s Office to begin the process of ratifying this historic proposal and taking the next steps towards building Frederick County’s future. The Frederick County Executive’s Office will be hosting a press briefing on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 12:30 PM.
The Frederick Digital Campus transforms the former Eastalco aluminum smelting site, unused since 2010 after heavy industrial activity, into a forward-thinking development that supports sustainability, economic growth, and community well-being. The campus has been shaped through extensive oversight by Frederick County government, with specifications designed to limit noise, water usage, and traffic impacts. These protections help ensure the project creates economic opportunity while preserving the character and resources that define Frederick County.
Press Contact: frederickdigital@touchstonestrategygroup.com
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