Amid outcry, data center presentation touts jobs, tax revenue
Developers presented plans for a proposed data center campus in Granville Township, Pennsylvania, emphasizing potential economic benefits like $22.5 million in annual tax revenue and 150 permanent jobs. The presentation was met with strong opposition from nearly 200 residents who raised concerns about water use, power consumption, infrastructure impacts, and a perceived lack of transparency from local officials regarding the project.
A presentation by Pennsylvania Data Center Partners and PowerHouse Data Centers detailed a proposed data center campus in Granville Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. The developers claimed the project could generate $22.5 million in annual tax revenue, including $4.7 million for Granville Township, $5.6 million for Mifflin County, and $12.2 million for the Mifflin County School District, alongside creating 150 permanent jobs and hundreds of construction jobs.
The presentation was made public during a contentious township meeting, drawing nearly 200 residents who pressed officials and project representatives for answers. Key concerns revolved around the facility's projected water consumption, electricity demand, traffic generation, potential effects on nearby properties, and general transparency regarding the development.
Despite touting environmental stewardship, community engagement, and infrastructure investments, the 16-page presentation did not specify the anticipated electrical load, water consumption, total acreage, project cost, construction timeline, or whether tax incentives would be requested. These omissions mirrored many of the unanswered questions from residents, who also questioned the township's regulatory authority over a project of this scale if a formal application is submitted. Developers concluded by pledging to work with local officials and conduct public outreach.