'Nobody wants it': Residents weigh in as data center construction disrupts rural neighborhood

Construction for a massive data center project, planned to include up to 18 buildings across 700 acres, is underway in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Residents near the site are experiencing considerable disruption from daily construction activities, including blasting, heavy machinery, noise, and increased traffic, typically occurring from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eugene Albert, a homeowner directly across from the project, expressed regret, stating he and his wife would not have purchased their property if they had known about the development. He highlighted the transformation of what was once a beautiful soybean field and mountain landscape into a construction zone. Albert is concerned that conditions will worsen when the project is fully operational, anticipating 24/7 lighting and a further increase in traffic. Developers, referred to as "Pennsylvania Data Center partners," project significant economic benefits, including digital innovation and substantial tax revenue for the county, with the school system potentially receiving over $40 million annually. Prior to construction, contractors reportedly inspected some homes and installed seismographs to document existing damage before blasting. The entire project is expected to take approximately five years to complete.