Pennsylvania developers propose large-scale data center projects

Data center developers are proposing large-scale infrastructure projects in rural Pennsylvania, sparking debate over economic benefits and community impact.

In Elizabeth Township, Hendricks Group Developers, LLC has proposed a 1-gigawatt, 3.7 million-square-foot data center campus and a natural gas plant. The project, planned for a 549-acre former landfill site, would include between 11 and 28 buildings. The developer claims the site could generate $125 million in tax revenue for the municipality and the Elizabeth Forward School District, utilizing a “closed loop” system designed to use less water than a residential community of similar size.

In Hazle Township, NorthPoint Development has proposed a different project involving 15 buildings across 1,300 acres in the Pocono foothills. To secure local support, the company has offered $10,000 to every household in the township if the project is approved. While the payment is significant in a region with a median household income of approximately $60,000, some residents have expressed concerns regarding noise, construction, and potential decreases in property values.