As I watched Calvin Butler, a leader in Baltimore’s business community and CEO of Exelon, participate in a high-profile White House roundtable on U.S. leadership in AI infrastructure, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why can’t Baltimore build datacenters in its poorest communities?
The roundtable, which gathered some of the most powerful names in tech, energy, and AI—leaders from companies like Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, and Meta—was part of the Biden-Harris Administration's strategy to ensure that America stays at the forefront of artificial intelligence. The conversation centered on developing the infrastructure needed for AI to thrive: clean energy, permits, datacenter expansion, and workforce development. Calvin Butler, representing both Baltimore and the energy sector, was there to help shape a future where AI systems are secure, sustainable, and American-built.
But as I read through the White House briefing, one thought persisted: Where does Baltimore fit in this grand vision?
A Missed Opportunity for Transformation
Baltimore, with its legacy of economic inequality and systemic disinvestment in certain neighborhoods, could stand to benefit enormously from AI-driven infrastructure. Poor communities have long been left behind in the wave of urban development, while wealthier areas continue to thrive. The promise of AI and datacenters could be a game-changer.
Imagine the impact of datacenters being built in West Baltimore, a region that’s often overlooked. Not only would they bring investment to the area, but they could provide jobs—good-paying jobs in construction, electrical work, and IT management—that would help uplift families and provide stability. These centers require workers to manage the power systems, maintain the facilities, and secure the data. They could also create a pipeline of opportunities for young people, giving them access to the tech economy right in their own neighborhoods.
The Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center in West Baltimore, part of STEM City USA, is one such place that could become a hub for AI datacenters. It’s already being positioned as a space for innovation and education, so why not add AI infrastructure to the mix? It’s not just about providing space for tech development—it’s about embedding that development within the communities that need it most.
Maryland’s Legislative Push for Inclusive AI
Fortunately, Baltimore isn’t alone in thinking big. Maryland state legislators like Senator Cory McCray and Senator Charles Sydnor are stepping up to ensure that AI development is inclusive and benefits everyone. These leaders are introducing legislation that promotes inclusiveness in AI development and infrastructure, aiming to create opportunities for underrepresented communities to participate in and benefit from the tech revolution.
Senator McCray, representing Baltimore, has long been an advocate for equity and job creation in the city’s underserved areas. His push for AI inclusiveness aligns with the broader vision of ensuring that poor communities are not left out of the economic opportunities that technology can bring. Likewise, Senator Sydnor, known for his commitment to civil rights and digital equity, is working to ensure that AI is developed in a way that benefits all Marylanders, not just those in tech hubs or affluent areas.
Their legislative efforts reflect a growing recognition that AI infrastructure, like datacenters, can play a pivotal role in revitalizing areas that have been overlooked by traditional economic development. If the state can pass laws that prioritize inclusivity in AI infrastructure, it could pave the way for Baltimore to become a national leader in this space.
What’s Holding Us Back?
At the White House roundtable, leaders discussed the importance of aligning AI infrastructure with clean energy goals, workforce development, and national security interests. They talked about leveraging closed coal sites for datacenter development, about finding ways to streamline federal permitting processes, and about working with local governments to meet energy needs. But where was the conversation about ensuring that these developments benefit poor communities? Where was the discussion about creating datacenter infrastructure that lifts up cities like Baltimore?
One of the challenges is undoubtedly political. Building datacenters in poorer areas requires not just private investment but public support. It requires a vision from local leaders and a willingness to take risks. It means ensuring that resources—like federal grants, loans, and tax credits—are used to support these projects in underserved neighborhoods.
Another challenge is perception. There’s a tendency to think that tech development belongs in wealthier, more established areas. But this is a false narrative. Poor communities are just as capable of driving innovation and supporting the tech infrastructure of the future—if they are given the chance.
The Role of Leaders Like Calvin Butler
Calvin Butler’s involvement in these discussions at the national level is encouraging. As a business leader from Baltimore, he knows the challenges the city faces and the opportunities it holds. Butler has the power to influence decisions about where and how datacenter infrastructure is developed, and I believe he can help make the case for building these centers in Baltimore’s underserved communities.
Leaders like Butler can use their platforms to push for equitable development that benefits all residents of Baltimore, not just the affluent few. It’s time for local leaders to step up as well. They need to advocate for these kinds of projects, to ensure that Baltimore is part of the AI-driven future—and that its poorest communities are not left behind.
A Call for Action
The Biden-Harris Administration has made it clear that they want the U.S. to lead the world in AI, and they’ve committed to creating jobs and ensuring that this technology is built with American workers. But we need to go further. We need to ensure that AI infrastructure isn’t just about powering the future—it’s about rebuilding the present. It’s about using technology to solve some of the deepest economic and social inequalities we face.
With champions like Calvin Butler, Cory McCray, and Charles Sydnor, Baltimore has the potential to become a leader in AI infrastructure. Datacenters could be the catalyst for that transformation, bringing jobs, innovation, and hope to communities that have been left behind for too long.
But this will only happen if we intentionally build them where they are most needed. The future of AI doesn’t just belong to Silicon Valley or New York City. It belongs to places like West Baltimore.
So why can’t Baltimore build datacenters in poor communities? There’s no reason why we can’t. We just need the will to make it happen. With the right legislation, leadership, and investment, we can ensure that the benefits of AI are felt in every corner of this city.
West Baltimore, like many urban areas, has faced economic challenges, but the potential establishment of an AI datacenter could represent a significant opportunity for growth and transformation. Here's how such a development could impact the region:
Blue Print for the Future
1. Economic Boost
- Job Creation: A datacenter could bring a variety of job opportunities to the local community, from construction and maintenance to technical and administrative roles. This would provide both skilled and unskilled labor opportunities, benefiting local residents.
- Attracting Investment: The presence of a high-tech facility could draw in additional businesses, especially in tech and related industries, potentially transforming West Baltimore into a hub for innovation.
2. Infrastructure Improvement
- Utility Upgrades: Building a datacenter requires robust infrastructure, including power, cooling, and internet connectivity. Improvements in these areas could extend to the local community, benefiting local businesses and residents.
- Real Estate Development: The growth around the datacenter might lead to an increase in property values and the development of new housing or commercial spaces.
3. Skill Development and Education
- Partnership with Schools: A datacenter might partner with local educational institutions to offer training programs or internships in technology, providing residents with new skills and increasing access to tech careers.
- STEM Focus: Such projects often lead to a push for more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs in local schools, preparing the next generation for high-paying jobs in the tech sector.
4. Community Revitalization
- Improving the Local Economy: The influx of new businesses and employees may lead to an increase in demand for local services like restaurants, shops, and other small businesses, boosting the local economy.
- Gentrification Concerns: While the economic benefits are clear, there are always concerns about gentrification, where long-time residents might be priced out of their neighborhoods as property values rise.
5. Social Impact
- Reducing Crime Rates: Economic development and job creation often lead to lower crime rates, as individuals gain more access to legitimate employment opportunities and stable incomes.
- Building Civic Pride: The transformation from a struggling neighborhood to a growing tech hub could foster a sense of community pride, leading to more local engagement and activism for continued improvement.
If managed carefully with community input, developing an AI data center could be a powerful catalyst for growth and revitalization in West Baltimore.