Local Cumberland County residents voice their concerns over PAX-1 data center project
Middlesex Township supervisors have approved the first six of 16 planned data center buildings for the PAX-1 project, despite strong community opposition and an ongoing legal challenge. Residents raised concerns about water use, infrastructure strain, and environmental impact. A judge has ordered the developer and township to explain why construction should not be halted, with oral arguments scheduled for September 18th on a request to stay construction.
In Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, residents voiced significant concerns over the proposed PAX-1 data center project during a contentious public meeting at Cumberland Valley High School. Despite more than three hours of public comment expressing strong opposition, the Middlesex Township supervisors voted to approve the final development plans for the first six of 16 planned data center buildings, along with a Master Developer Agreement, a Phase 1B amendment, and a Community Benefits Agreement.
Community members, organized under the name "Stop PACS One," raised issues including potential water use, infrastructure strain, and environmental impact, arguing that the project threatens their quiet way of life. This decision by the supervisors follows a recent order from a judge for the developer and the township to explain why construction on PAX-1 should not be halted as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by the Stop PACS One organization. Oral arguments for the request to stay construction are scheduled for September 18th.