Rob Bresnahan campaigns on data center limits amid industry investments

Pennsylvania Republican Representative Rob Bresnahan is campaigning on a platform to increase municipal control over the construction of data centers. His new television advertisements in the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre areas promote a bill designed to give local governments more authority regarding these facilities.

However, Bresnahan’s legislative stance contrasts with his previous comments describing data centers as potential ‘catalysts for economic growth’ in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Additionally, financial disclosures filed in August reveal that Bresnahan holds between approximately $19,005 and $110,000 in stocks within four companies directly linked to the data center industry, including Equinix, Digital Realty Trust, and Iron Mountain. He also holds shares in wireless communications firm SBA Communications.

Bresnahan has stated that his multimillion-dollar investment portfolio is managed by financial advisers without his direct input. A campaign spokesperson noted that supporting local control does not equate to being ‘anti-investment’ and emphasized the importance of considering regional economic development and blue-collar jobs.