Pennsylvania County Advances Major Data Center Campus with Initial Approvals
January 8, 2026
A significant step has been taken toward the development of a large-scale data center campus in Pennsylvania, highlighting the continued expansion of digital infrastructure into new regional markets to meet soaring demand for cloud and AI computing capacity.
Local officials in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, have granted preliminary subdivision approval for an 18-building data center complex. The project, identified as Pennsylvania Digital 1 or PAX-1, is planned for a 700-acre site off Country Club Road. This initial approval paves the way for detailed planning, though it is not the final regulatory hurdle. Township supervisors must still review and approve the formal land development plans before construction can commence.
The scale of the proposed development underscores its substantial local economic impact. Projections indicate the campus could create approximately 450 jobs and generate an estimated $65 million in tax revenue for Cumberland County, Middlesex Township, and the local school district upon full operation.
However, critical decisions regarding the facility's operational infrastructure remain unresolved. Authorities have yet to finalize plans for sourcing the immense electrical power required by the campus or for meeting its significant water needs for cooling systems. These pending resolutions are common focal points for community and environmental review in large-scale data center projects.
The advancement of the PAX-1 project reflects a broader trend of data center development seeking locations with available land and supportive local governments. Its progress is being closely watched as a bellwether for how regions balance economic development promises with the logistical and resource challenges posed by hyperscale computing facilities.
Source: wgal
