Local residents frequently contest new developments, particularly constructions that may disrupt the community, such as expansive warehouses, tall buildings, or giant retail stores. Recently, data centers have emerged as a significant player in the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) discourse.
Data centers serve as extensive facilities equipped with everything necessary for our digital lifestyles, including servers, storage, networking tools, and the essential power and cooling systems. Beyond mere data storage, they fulfill various functions, such as data processing, supporting connectivity, safeguarding against cyber threats, and providing backup solutions across numerous industries. Furthermore, they are vital for artificial intelligence, which demands substantial computing energy. Many individuals engage with AI daily, often without even recognizing it, whether through their smartphones or while enjoying streaming content on television.
As of late 2025, the U.S. boasts over 5,400 data centers, including those dedicated to AI, outpacing all other countries. While opposition exists in many states, local battles are also evident. In southcentral Pennsylvania, a farmer has recently made headlines by declining a $15 million offer to sell his land for a data center, choosing instead to preserve it through a farmland trust, which might only yield him a few million. Having lived on the property for over five decades, Mervin Raudabaugh prioritized conservation over a lucrative deal.
Data centers encroach on rural districts
Raudabaugh’s farm is situated in Silver Spring Township, Pennsylvania, approximately 20 minutes from Harrisburg, the state capital. An unnamed developer had approached him with a $15 million proposal for his land. As reported by local ABC affiliate WHTM, Raudabaugh felt pressured by the developer’s tactics and opted instead for the local land preservation program. Only four municipalities outside the Philadelphia area, including Silver Spring Township, have sanctioned the use of income tax funds to obtain land development rights. The township compensated the preservation effort to maintain Raudabaugh’s farm, allowing him to sell it solely as agricultural land, which will likely result in a significantly lower return than the offer from the data center developer.
Silver Spring Township is among several communities in Pennsylvania facing the growing challenge of data center development. Plans are in motion by Pennsylvania Data Center Partners and PowerHouse Data Centers to create three data center campuses in Carlisle, close to Harrisburg. This initiative, termed Pennsylvania Digital 1, is progressing through the approval stages, with local supervisors permitting a subdivision plan for an 18-building campus in January 2026. Residents express concerns regarding the demands on local power and water supplies, along with potential environmental repercussions. Advocates for the development argue it will greatly benefit the community, asserting that Pennsylvania is quickly establishing itself as a prime location for data centers, even as some remain unused in other regions.
