Township supervisors have voted to clear land for a new data center in Pennsylvania.
On Friday, Middlesex Township supervisors voted unanimously to adopt land use rules for data centers that would apply to 694 acres of currently undeveloped land located off Country Club Road in Cumberland County.
The change to the township’s zoning map brings the possibility of a new large-scale data center project. The unanimous vote in Middlesex follows similar changes announced in Swatara Township, located in Dauphin County.
In 2024, a firm that specializes in siting data centers approached Middlesex township officials with the potential plan.
The site could see as many as 18 different buildings totaling as much as 5 million square feet of new building space, according to Middlesex Zoning Officer Mark Carpenter.
Should the site be built, its operator would then market its computing capacity to a variety of tech industry leaders.
According to PowerHouse Data Centers, the firm leading the plan, 225 permanent jobs could be created with the construction of the data center.
A $65 million annual tax windfall would be possible for the township, school district, and county treasuries.
Prior to the vote, Middlesex township supervisors wrote text to create a new data center overlay district in a comprehensive rewrite of the township zoning ordinance.
According to Carpenter, several residents asked that the measure be tabled at the meeting.
Charles Courtney, the developer’s attorney, said swift action was necessary for PowerHouse to reserve the electrical power it needs for the center.
The ordinance passed by the supervisors requires noise, traffic, and water studies as part of any plan review. The water study will need to demonstrate that there is an adequate water supply to service the facility without harming water supply or service to others.
Under the ordinance, noise would have to be capped at 70 decibels at the property line.
Last fall, PowerHouse said it received positive signs from PPL Electric that its power needs in Middlesex can be accommodated.
The buildings constructed would need to be raised at least 100 feet away from any abutting residence or residential zone. Any associated exterior mechanical equipment would need to be placed in areas that don’t front residential areas or are fully screened from a neighbor’s view.
The sketch plans for the site show all proposed buildings more than 900 feet from the closest residences on Country Club Road.
PowerHouse released a statement, saying, “PowerHouse Data Centers has been reviewing expanding its program to key states, including Pennsylvania, however, at this time, it would be premature to comment on any potential projects with any specificity.”
The news of the potential data center comes amid an unprecedented demand for power in the United States.
