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Developers have revealed early plans for a $1.7 billion data center in South Annville Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. The project, presented by Inch & Co., will span nearly 100 acres off Route 422 and include five large buildings to house computer servers for cloud storage and digital infrastructure. The buildings will resemble warehouses and stand about 50 feet tall.
The data center is expected to generate significant economic benefits, potentially bringing in $3.4 million annually for Lebanon County, $13.4 million for a local school district, and $747,000 for the township. However, these figures are preliminary and depend on final construction values and assessments.
Joe Eisenhauer, a developer with the York County-based company, emphasized the project's goal to minimize its impact on the surrounding community. The site is projected to create over 100 jobs and offer co-op programs for local students. Infrastructure changes, including a realignment of Mount Pleasant Road and an on-site electrical substation, are part of the proposal.
The project requires zoning changes, with parts of the property proposed to shift from commercial and agricultural to industrial use. Despite assurances, some residents have raised concerns about infrastructure reliability, environmental impacts, and emergency response.
The project is in its conceptual phase, with a formal survey yet to be conducted. If it proceeds, it will undergo multiple stages, including zoning approvals and a full land development review. Eisenhauer estimates the approval process could take 18 months, with construction several years away.