The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Dorchester County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Neutral Data Center Policies
Dorchester County has enacted a 12-month pause on data centers. The full resolution was not available, so its precise coverage, exemptions, and extension rules are unclear.
Rating from Maryland statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Dorchester County.
Specific to Dorchester County only.
current law · Unincorporated areas only, according to independently readable secondary reporting; full resolution scope remains unverified.Pauses data center development in Dorchester County for 12 months while the county develops rules for evaluating projects.Dorchester County Resolution No. 712 (2026)
What this means
Restrictive, time-limited pause rather than a verified permanent prohibition: the official notice establishes a temporary moratorium on data centers for 12 months. Later reporting describes officials developing standards for evaluating potential data center projects. Full resolution text was not obtained; detailed application coverage, exemptions and extension authority remain unverified.
Timing
- Ends
- Twelve months after adoption on August 4, 2026; not a verified express calendar sunset in the full resolution.
Twelve-month temporary moratorium, effective the day of its adoption, which the notice identifies as August 4, 2026. Full resolution text, extension authority and early-termination terms remain unverified. Reported staff return with initial findings and recommendations in spring 2027 is a prospective work plan; its inclusion in the resolution has not been verified. Star Democrat reporting was independently readable but is not an attached source.
People behind it
- Mike Detmer
Council member discussing project evaluation; no sponsor designation or individual vote record is verified.
- Jerry Jones
County Manager overseeing research; no sponsor designation or individual vote record is verified.
- Lenny Pfeffer
Council President explaining municipal legislation, according to independently readable secondary reporting, not an attached source; no sponsor designation or individual vote record is verified.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Temporary moratorium on data centers for a period of 12 months. Reported geographic scope is only the unincorporated areas of Dorchester County, according to independently readable secondary reporting, not an attached source. Which applications or approvals are frozen, treatment of pending projects, definitions and exemptions cannot be established from the official notice; full resolution text was not obtained.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
No affirmative incentive, expedited approval, or entitlement provision is verified in the available official notice. Policy context only, not an enacted benefit: Mike Detmer says If it’s a good fit, it may make perfect sense. Full resolution text was not obtained.
Sources
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