With an aim to boost Maryland’s tech infrastructure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been identified as the lead tenant for the ‘Bauxite I’ data centre project on the site of the former Alcoa Eastalco Works near Buckeystown.
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The project, spearheaded by Rowan Digital Infrastructure, will transform the long-dormant 2,100-acre industrial site into a hub of digital activity. AWS plans to construct four highly equipped single-story buildings, covering nearly 777,000 square feet and delivering approximately 300 megawatts of computing capacity.
As for Frederick County, Amazon’s investment will establish Maryland’s first AWS Availability Zone, expanding the company’s cloud footprint beyond its highly congested Northern Virginia operations. The data centre is expected to generate quite some construction job opportunitites, permanent tech positions, and lump sum local tax revenues.
Why ‘Bauxite I’?
Despite the name, the Bauxite I project has little to do with the raw material itself. Bauxite is the primary ore used to produce aluminium, and the reference is largely symbolic. The former Eastalco site was once home to one of America’s largest aluminium smelting operations, run by Alcoa from 1969 until the plant’s closure in 2010.
By naming the new development ‘Bauxite I’, the project acknowledges the site’s industrial past while signalling its future as a digital powerhouse. It is a nod to the site’s legacy of heavy industry, now reimagined for the information age.
A clean slate for growth
Environmental concerns once posed a hurdle for redevelopment. However, following years of remediation led by Alcoa and overseen by the Maryland Department of the Environment, the site was declared extricated for reuse in 2018. Extensive cleanup included removing hazardous waste, capping contaminated areas, and protecting groundwater.
This thorough remediation paved the way for a data-driven transformation. Developers and county officials emphasize that the project aligns with Maryland’s sustainable development goals, promising efficient land use and responsible resource management.
Rowan Digital Infrastructure, in partnership with Quantum Loophole, who purchased the property in 2021, has committed to sustainable construction practices, including careful water and energy usage, fibre-first connectivity, and preservation of natural buffers around the campus.
Importance for the company and the land
For AWS, the Frederick County expansion is a strategic response to the growing demand for cloud services in the Mid-Atlantic region. By building a Maryland Availability Zone, Amazon improves resilience, lowers latency for customers, and adds redundancy to its broader US East operations.
Localites view Amazon’s entry as a major economic catalyst. Rowan’s projections suggest the first phase alone could contribute around $7 million annually in tax revenue to Frederick County. In addition to creating approximately 100 permanent jobs, the data centre campus is expected to stimulate indirect employment in construction, maintenance, and support services.
Officials from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development hailed the project as a model for transforming post-industrial land into a driver of future economic growth. The site’s strategic location — close to major highways, existing power infrastructure, and urban centres like Washington, DC — makes it ideal for hyperscale data centre development.
While AWS has not publicly commented on the specifics of the Bauxite I development, permit filings and land-use plans confirm its significant role. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with operational launch anticipated by 2026.
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