$1.2 billion land deal for second data center project in Salem Township announced by 4-3 Group

The 4-3 Glen Brook Group, led by founder Jack Sordoni of 4-3 Consulting, LLC, has announced a substantial second data center project in Salem Township, Pennsylvania. The group is preparing to apply for a zoning amendment to the Data Center Overlay Zoning District, with public hearings for the application expected in July or August. This ambitious undertaking involves a projected land purchase price exceeding $1.2 billion, encompassing over 4,000 acres, with a commitment that at least 80% will remain as green space. The plans include a 39-building campus and an on-site electrical generation plant capable of meeting a potential power demand of 3.5 to 4 gigawatts.

Sordoni emphasized that the project is not merely about data centers but an energy and infrastructure development, leveraging Salem Township's extensive existing industrial infrastructure, which includes power generation, transmission, gas infrastructure, and the Susquehanna nuclear power plant. This strategic location, rich in energy assets and contributing significantly to the PJM network, is seen as ideal for directing development pressure away from less industrialized areas. The 4-3 Group has a buyer, though their name remains undisclosed under a non-disclosure agreement pending zoning approval.

The project is framed as a "human-interest/landowner story," offering long-term prosperity. It follows a prior successful land aggregation in Salem Township by Blackstone QTS, which paid 96 landowners over $500 million for 1,700 acres. This new project, involving 194 landowners, aims to provide significant economic opportunity and value for residents who have lived with heavy industrial impacts for decades. Local landowners like Tony Allegrati and Peter Onisick expressed strong support, highlighting the personal financial benefits and the national security importance of data centers, which are recognized by agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as critical infrastructure.

Addressing environmental concerns, the 4-3 Group plans a closed-loop water system to minimize extraction and disposal beyond conventional use and expects to meet EPA and DEP approvals for emissions. The large land assembly also allows for buffers, setbacks, and preserved green space. The development is projected to generate substantial tax revenue for the Berwick Area School District, Salem Township, and Luzerne County, and includes a community benefit agreement component expected to be significantly larger than the previous deal.