Community rallies against giant data center being built in Kenilworth, New Jersey

A significant controversy has erupted in Kenilworth, New Jersey, over the ongoing construction of a 400,000-square-foot, $1.8 billion data center by CoreWeave. Residents, many of whom claim to have been unaware of the project until recently, are expressing strong opposition. The data center is being built on the former Merck pharmaceutical site on Galloping Hill Road, directly across from residential homes. Community members, including local high schoolers, have galvanized support against the project, citing concerns about potential noise and water pollution, as well as the impact on local utility bills, despite CoreWeave's plans for its own grid connections. At a community meeting held at the municipal building before a regular council meeting, residents used cowbells and whistles to demonstrate their disapproval. CoreWeave released a statement asserting that their data centers are investments in communities, designed to be responsible neighbors and support economic activity, while committing to ongoing engagement. Despite the data center being set to open next year, the grassroots effort in Kenilworth remains determined to prevent it from going online.