What is a data center?
Data centers represent the economy of the future and Project Washington is an economic game changer for Delaware.
A data center is a building where information and services used online are stored and processed. They are mission critical infrastructure for the global economy, enabling digital services, connectivity, and innovation across all industries. With 24/7, 365 availability requirements, data centers support small businesses and all industries, including, banks, healthcare, education, and first responders. Data centers make our interconnected lives possible. Every time you interact with your phone, TV, computer etc. you are interacting with a data center.
What is Project Washington?
Project Washington will be a state-of-the-art data center campus, which will create 3,500 construction jobs during construction and over $75 million annually to New Castle County and local education upon construction completion. It is proposed by Starwood Digital Ventures.
How will this project impact residential electricity bills?
Project Washington will be a major revenue generator for DelMarva, providing $100’s of millions in revenue that can be invested into modernizing aging infrastructure, increasing reliability, and potentially lowering the T&D cost per customer. The CEO of PG&E, the electric utility for Northern California stated that for every 1 GW of data center load, customer bills can decrease by 1% to 2%.
The campus will be built over the next 8 to 10 years with power purchased in the market at energization supporting development of new regional energy sources.
What is the projected economic output both during construction and once the facility is operating?
How much tax revenue will the project provide for New Castle County education?
How much tax revenue will the project provide for the New Castle County general fund?
The project will provide at least $17 million annually to New Castle County in property tax revenue.
How many jobs will be created during construction of a data center?
At least 3,500 jobs will be created during construction. This activity will also cause local businesses to grow and expand and provide strength to New Castle County.
What about during full-time operations?
How much will these jobs pay and what are the total wages?
These jobs will be very high paying, averaging over $100,000 per job.
What county resources does the data center require?
Project Washington will NOT require any county services that it will not be paying for directly, i.e., sewer. No negative impact on schools, police, or fire services.
What kind of water needs will there be?
How much open space will be preserved on the site?
Will any noise from the Data Center impact any residential communities?
Project Washington’s buildings will be more than 1,700 feet from the nearest residential community. This is significantly more than what is required by local code for more intense heavy industry uses.
Noise will NOT impact any neighborhoods.
What is the Project’s plan for back up generation?
Is the data center a permitted use on the subject site? How does this project align with New Castle County’s 2050 Comprehensive plan.
Phase I, located on the south parcel, is zoned Heavy Industrial . Data center is allowed as a permitted use in Heavy Industrial zoning district.
Phase II, located on the north parcel, is zoned suburban. It is currently subject to an application for rezoning to Industrial. Note, the north parcel is currently designated as “Business Flex” in New Castle County’s 2050 Comprehensive Development Plan. Data center use aligns with the “Business Flex” designation.
Why has a Project Labor Agreement been signed?
Who signed the Project Labor Agreement?
Project Washington has entered into a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with 20 labor unions that are local to Delaware, solidifying Project Washington’s dedication to high-skilled, local labor.
The PLA includes a “Helmets to Hardhats” provision that supports the employment of military veterans and members of the National Guard. Additionally, it requires a 20% apprenticeship ratio establishing on-the-job training for Delaware’s future workforce, and equal opportunity measures ensuring a diverse workforce.