Data Center Fight Costs Activist Her Home

A single mother in Prince George's County, Maryland, blocked a $5 billion data center campus while living in her grandfather's house after facing eviction. Taylor Frazier McCollum gained more than 25,000 signatures on a petition against the development on the former Landover Mall site. The land covers nearly 90 acres in a predominantly Black community. The developer won approval from county planners in 2024. Frazier McCollum led protests that resulted in moratoriums on data centers across the county.

She did not own a home when she started the campaign. In 2024, she and her young daughter were evicted from their rental unit. She worked at a waxing center that cut her wages. She fell behind on rent and moved into her grandfather's home. She described the loss of their apartment as a feeling that something was not going to end.

County officials proposed the data center campus to address a revenue gap. The county lost major economic anchors, including the NFL Washington Commanders and a Six Flags park. Federal workers in the area lost jobs, and the county faces a budget deficit. Local leaders viewed the data center as a way to stem the financial decline.

Frazier McCollum built a coalition of socialists, environmentalists, and neighbors concerned about electricity bills. Staci Hartwell, a long-term environmental activist, said she struggled to gain traction on the issue until Frazier McCollum became involved. Hartwell noted that the project was happening in Frazier McCollum's immediate neighborhood and served as her awakening to the cause.

The activist has lost jobs to attend county hearings and knock on doors. She testified at the state capitol and endorsed political candidates. Her efforts drew attention to the project in other Black communities, including Atlanta and Memphis, as well as in Zambia. Activists helped her secure grants to travel and continue the fight.

In September, Frazier McCollum asked a county council meeting for a public fund to help residents repair roofs. Council member Wanika Fisher responded that the data center pause did not solve the money problem. Fisher said a data center is not the only answer but is worth a hard discussion. She asked where the money is coming from if the project is paused.

Frazier McCollum has been encouraged to run for office. She said she wants to pay off debt and traffic tickets first. She has aspirations to run but does not want to focus on housing and a campaign simultaneously. Her father, Lacy McCollum Jr., compared her activism to the work of civil rights leaders like Medgar Evers and Martin Luther King Jr. He said people need those who jump out there so others can make progress.

She is currently pitching alternatives for the Landover site, including a sports complex, affordable housing, or a heritage tourism site. She acknowledged that these options would not be as lucrative as the data center campus.