Pennsylvania approves zoning for a $1.4B data center project involving 194 families and 4,466 acres

NewsWorld NewsUS NewsIn a Pennsylvania town, 194 families have assembled 4,466 acres for a potential $1.4 billion data-centre deal; officials approved new zoning, but the land sale and proposed $12 million hospital are not final In a Pennsylvania town, 194 families have assembled 4,466 acres for a potential $1.4 billion data-centre deal; officials approved new zoning, but the land sale and proposed $12 million hospital are not final Local officials in a rural Pennsylvania community have approved new zoning rules, bringing 194 local families one step closer to a possible $1.4 billion land deal for a large technology and energy campus.

The Salem Township Board of Supervisors voted 2-0 on 27 October 2026 to expand the area's Special Data Center Overlay district, according to GlobeNewswire. The decision covers 4,466 acres of farmland, homes, and former agricultural properties in Luzerne County.

The land has been selected for the proposed Salem 3 Campus. Despite this important approval, the multi-billion-dollar deal is not yet final. It still depends on completed property contracts, power agreements, and other required project approvals.

A proposed $12 million micro-hospital, which is part of a community benefits package, also depends on final agreements.High-capacity energy hub attracts tech developers The project plans to build a 4-gigawatt digital infrastructure and energy campus by using the large amount of electricity already generated in the township.

Salem Township is part of the PJM Interconnection wholesale electricity market. It is also home to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant and a major combined-cycle natural gas power facility. Jack Sordoni, co-founder of development company 4-3 Glennbrook Group, spoke about why the location was suitable after the public hearing.

"Data centers are not a yes or no question. It's about where and how," Sordoni stated, according to GlobeNewswire. "In this case, 'where' happens to be between two nuclear towers, a massive gas plant, major electrical infrastructure and virtually unlimited fuel sources.

The 'how' comes from embracing the landowners, their value and their dignity, and coming together as a community to recognize the opportunity a project like this promises." Documents submitted by the developers show that the proposed campus will use closed-loop cooling systems.

These systems are designed to prevent the project from taking large amounts of water from local sources. The plans also aim to meet state electricity grid requirements set out in Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's Executive Order 2026-05.Landowners seek economic return after previous successful sale The decision by 194 local households to work together represents one of the largest coordinated private land deals in Northeastern Pennsylvania's history.

The plan follows an earlier land deal in the same township. According to 4-3 Glennbrook Group, the development company previously brought together landowners for the neighboring Salem 2 project. That process resulted in a $586 million sale to data center operator QTS.

Dave Scoblick, co-founder and principal at 4-3 Glennbrook Group, explained that a significant amount of work remains before the land sale can be completed. "We're grateful to the Board of Supervisors for the time and care they put into this decision, and to everyone who came out and spoke, whether they were for it or had questions," Scoblick said in statements released through GlobeNewswire.

"Tonight's vote is a big step for 194 Salem Township families, but we're still not at the finish line. We have a lot of work ahead, and we're going to keep doing it transparently alongside the township and our neighbors."Community benefit package includes healthcare facility The project plan includes a proposed $43 million Community Benefit Agreement.

The money would support local government services and improvements to regional infrastructure. One of the main parts of the proposal is $12 million for a new local micro-hospital. The facility would bring urgent and emergency medical services back to the area.

Residents lost their main local medical centre after Berwick Hospital closed permanently. The project also plans to keep around 75 per cent of the 4,466-acre site as natural buffer areas, open spaces, and protected environmental zones.

Participating landowners have also suggested using part of the money from the land sale to support Heritage Park. The planned year-round recreational space would be located on the former Beach Haven Carnival grounds.Mike Cabell, principal at 4-3 Glennbrook Group, spoke about how the families considered future generations when making their decisions.

"These families made a big decision about their land, and they made it with their kids and grandkids in mind," Cabell stated to GlobeNewswire. "Tonight's vote shows that decision was worth it. They stuck with this through every meeting and every question, and we're going to get this done for them in a way that benefits the community for generations." According to reporting by GovTech, communities across Pennsylvania continue to discuss the effects of large data center projects.

Local concerns include industrial development, growing electricity demand, and the tax benefits these projects could bring. These discussions are becoming more important as demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure increases across the country.

The Salem 3 project will now move forward to further technical reviews, environmental studies, and assessments of its connection to the electricity grid. These steps must be completed before the property transfers can officially close.

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