Archbald, PA Faces Data Center Surge: How Six Facilities Could Consume 14% of Town’s Land

Cheap land, abundant resources, and substantial tax incentives are drawing tech companies to rural communities like never before. Nowhere is this trend more evident than in Archbald, a small borough in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where developers have proposed six data center campuses to meet the AI industry’s growing demand for computing power.

According to a Washington Post report, the proposals include 51 warehouses—each the size of a Walmart Supercenter—spanning 4 to 6 acres. Seven of these buildings exceed 1 million square feet, equivalent to roughly 23 acres each. If built, the facilities could occupy a staggering 14% of Archbald’s surface area.

The town’s strategic location, situated along a major regional transmission line with direct access to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant, makes it an ideal site for data centers. Additionally, its proximity to Philadelphia and New York City—just a two-hour drive away—further enhances its appeal to developers.

Public Backlash and Political Fallout

Residents have pushed back against the rapid influx of data center proposals, citing concerns over employment opportunities, municipal strain, and energy grid demands. On March 18, an anti-data center petition declared,

‘THE PUBLIC TRUST HAS BEEN VIOLATED. Borough governance must be conducted in the interest of the public, not shaped in private by the interests of developers seeking approvals.’

The backlash culminated in a dramatic political purge in March, when the borough council president, vice president, and president pro tem were ousted by remaining council members. The decision was met with a standing ovation from Archbald residents, who blamed local leadership for allowing the proposals to proceed.

Archbald resident Geralyn Esposito criticized council leadership, stating,

‘You have presided over numerous meetings, scolding residents like children when they voiced their frustrations that were of your making. You have wielded that gavel like a weapon to silence and stamp out opposition.’

Archbald Mayor Shirley Barrett expressed frustration with the situation, telling the Washington Post,

‘The debate has destroyed this community. We want answers, but we have no clue what is going on because this is all happening so quickly.’

Uncertain Future for Archbald

With each of the six data center campuses at varying stages of the planning process, the town’s future remains uncertain. Public meetings have grown contentious, and a robust social media campaign has emerged in opposition to the projects. Whether residents can successfully resist the tech industry’s expansion remains to be seen.

For now, the fight appears far from over.