No, it isn't a plan to "drain the swamp" in D.C. It's the name developers have chosen for a massive data center complex near Delaware City.
The proposal drew immediate opposition last summer from the Delaware House Speaker and a few legislators, but, for the most part, government leaders have adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
The business community has largely remained on the sidelines while sharing concerns with opponents that Project Washington will drive up electricity bills.
The impressive-sounding Project Washington branding has been around since we learned that plans had been filed with the New Castle County by Starwood Digital Ventures. Also believed to be a partner is a unit of PBF Energy, owner of the nearby refinery.
If fully developed, the complex would cover 6 million square feet and represent a $10 billion investment.
The Project Washington branding hasn't caught on, but developers hope to change that while attempting to sway skeptics with arguments that combine dollars-and-cents benefits with environmental protection.
Last week, Project Washington launched a letter-writing campaign through their bare bones website and a Facebook advertising campaign. The post resulted in a flood of largely negative comments that tossed out a laundry list of objections.
The form letter states that a large portion of the property will be open space and won't generate a lot of traffic.
The website further notes that the project will "bring hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars to our schools and New Castle County. Don't let a neighboring state benefit from this opportunity."
The data center would generate tax revenue for the state, New Castle County, and the Colonial School District. $10 billion is a significant amount to walk away from.
With the reassessment controversy front and center, a larger tax base in a state that has lost much of its industrial base would be welcome news to many in the business community.
Many questions remain about Project Washington. However, we expect the venture's website to serve as a tool in attempting to sway skeptics.
A final note: The Sierra Club is asking (presumably opponents) to attend a county meeting on Tuesday regarding a data center ordinance. - Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
(Editor's note: A survey in a previous version was removed due to technical issues).
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