Shapiro: Data Center Boom Threatens Archbald Community
Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted the threat posed by six proposed data center campuses, totaling 51 large warehouses, in Archbald, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. He emphasized that these developments risk overwhelming the small community and encroaching on local spaces like a Little League park, advocating for local communities to have more power in such decisions through a recent executive order.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has voiced strong concerns regarding the proposed development of six data center campuses, encompassing approximately 51 massive warehouses, in Archbald, Lackawanna County. During a visit to the borough, which has a population of just 7,500 people, Governor Shapiro listened to local residents and observed the proximity of one proposed facility to the left field line of Andy Stahback Park, a local Little League field.
The Governor criticized a historical pattern of industries exploiting communities for profit, asserting his commitment to ending such practices. He highlighted Archbald as an example of many communities across Pennsylvania facing similar challenges from extensive data center development.
His remarks coincide with an executive order he signed concerning AI and data centers, aimed at empowering local communities with greater authority over these developments. This initiative seeks to provide residents with more control over infrastructure projects that impact their localities.