Maryland’s advantage in digital infrastructure is not just geographic. It is mission-driven. With close proximity to the federal government, major defense and cyber activity, leading research institutions, and globally significant public health and medical assets, Maryland is uniquely positioned to compete for digital infrastructure investment tied to national security, health resilience, and next-generation innovation. This panel will explore how Maryland compares with peer states, what investors and site selectors are prioritizing, and how the state can better align business attraction, infrastructure planning, and public policy to win high-value projects. The conversation will also examine how federal demand, mission-critical use cases, and real-world development opportunities can help Maryland stand out in an increasingly competitive national landscape.

Data centers create far more than a small number of on-site operational roles. They support a much broader employment ecosystem that includes skilled trades, union labor, general contractors, equipment suppliers, professional services, maintenance, logistics, and long-term community college and workforce training pathways. This panel will examine how Maryland can better define and communicate the industry’s full workforce impact while building the talent pipeline needed to support continued growth. The discussion will cover immediate construction and infrastructure labor needs, long-term permanent roles, the role of apprenticeship and training partnerships, and the downstream employment effects that data center development can generate across the regional economy.

As data centers move closer to the center of Maryland’s economic and land use debates, state and local leaders are being asked to weigh tax policy, development incentives, zoning, infrastructure needs, and public concerns in real time. This panel will examine how those decisions are being shaped in Annapolis and in local jurisdictions, and what they mean for Maryland’s competitiveness. Just as importantly, it will connect policy choices to real community outcomes by exploring how data center projects can generate revenue, support public services, strengthen infrastructure, and contribute to broader local economic development goals. The discussion will also address common misconceptions and consider how Maryland can pursue a policy approach that is both economically credible and locally responsive.

Power availability has become one of the defining constraints on digital infrastructure development nationwide, and Maryland is no exception. This panel will examine the full energy chain behind data center growth, from generation and transmission planning to utility distribution, regulatory oversight, and emerging on-site and advanced energy solutions. The discussion will focus on Maryland’s current energy outlook, PJM’s role in forecasting and planning for future demand, and the policy and infrastructure decisions needed to support economic growth while preserving reliability and affordability. It will also explore what a realistic, durable strategy looks like for serving large new loads in a state facing both rising demand and increasing scrutiny of energy costs.

Public debate around data centers often centers on water use, backup generation, land use, and grid impacts, but the best version of this conversation is broader and more practical. This panel will examine how developers and operators are approaching sustainability, operational efficiency, and community stewardship in the real world, and what standards and practices are beginning to define responsible growth across the industry. The discussion will cover water and cooling strategies, energy demand, backup power, environmental performance, and the challenge of aligning project development with community expectations and long-term resilience goals. It will also explore how Maryland can encourage development that is both economically competitive and environmentally credible.

Hear from experts during our “TED-Style” talks.

Focused, small-group sessions exploring the technical side of data centers, from infrastructure and energy to cooling and operations, led by experts and built for discussion.