A data center developer is offering $10,000 payments to win the support of Poconos residents
NorthPoint Development is offering $10,000 payments to Hazle Township residents to garner support for a proposed data center campus, following a previous rejection of the project due to zoning restrictions. The company sued over the initial denial and lost, leading the township to enact a six-month moratorium while it updates local zoning laws. Residents remain concerned about environmental impacts and property values.
NorthPoint Development is attempting to gain community support for a controversial 15-building data center campus in Hazle Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, by offering $10,000 payments to approximately 4,500 households. This strategy, costing the company $45 million, aims to overcome local opposition which includes concerns about water usage, noise, energy costs, and potential impacts on property values.
The proposed 1,300-acre project was previously rejected by local officials due to zoning restrictions, leading NorthPoint to file an unsuccessful lawsuit. Subsequently, Hazle Township enacted a six-month moratorium on data center applications to update its zoning laws, which is set to expire in January.
In addition to direct payments to residents, NorthPoint is offering $120 million over 15 years to the township for its police department and other services. This localized effort by the developer comes as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed an executive order limiting speculative data center proposals statewide, requiring local approval and adherence to energy and water usage requirements. Furthermore, Philadelphia has created a task force to research the potential impacts of data center development within the city.