Business advocates urge informed decisions on data center developments
Business advocates, led by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, are urging local officials to make informed decisions about data center developments instead of immediately rejecting them. They are organizing tours of data center parks to educate officials on their impacts and potential benefits, such as significant tax revenue for local governments and school districts, as highlighted by a proposed project in Middlesex Township.
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, led by its head Burstein, is actively trying to counter negative perceptions of data center developments among local communities and officials. Burstein is organizing tours of existing data center parks for local officials to provide them with firsthand information on the appearance, sound, and impacts on power and water resources, as well as the positive economic contributions.
The initiative aims to arm officials with facts to make responsible decisions, rather than yielding to what Burstein describes as widespread misinformation and emotional reactions. He cited a proposed project in Middlesex Township, Pennsylvania, where developers would contribute an estimated $65 million annually in taxes, with $45 million going to the Cumberland Valley School District and $20 million to local governments. While acknowledging that data centers may not suit every community, Burstein believes they offer significant opportunities for some.