Hearing over plans to build data center in Hanover Township draws packed crowd
Prime Data Centers is seeking conditional use approval for a seven-building data center campus and a natural gas-fired power generation facility in Hanover Township, PA. A public hearing drew a large crowd of supporters and opponents, with residents raising environmental concerns. The hearing will resume on multiple dates in September.
Prime Data Centers is seeking conditional use approval for a large-scale data center campus in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, a project that includes seven data center buildings spanning 1.7 million square feet and a 450-megawatt natural gas-fired power generation facility. A public hearing held at the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department hall drew a significant crowd of both supporters and opponents.
Residents, including Patricia Cipia of nearby Burgettstown, voiced strong environmental concerns, citing potential noise, light, air, and water pollution impacts on nearby homes. Kate Nolan Bryden, Senior Vice President of Development at Prime Data Centers, defended the project, emphasizing its strategic location near a major metropolitan area and its potential to create an active labor force and bring new economic life to the Starpointe Business Park.
The project also garnered support from local workers. Emanuel Paris, Vice President of Alex Paris Contracting, whose relatives co-own Altian Development—the company that owns the land—highlighted the opportunity for local and long-lasting jobs from the construction phase. Prime Data Centers also reportedly asked Alex Paris Contracting to rally supporters for the hearing. Hanover Township Solicitor Dennis Makel announced that the conditional use hearing will resume on multiple dates: September 21, 24, 29, and 30.