Single town in Pennsylvania of 7,000 planned so many data centers, it was equivalent of adding 51 Walmarts

According to a report from The Washington Post, developers are advancing plans for six sprawling data center campuses in Archbald, Pennsylvania, a former coal town of about 7,000 residents located near the Pocono Mountains.

The projects would cover roughly 14 percent of the borough’s land—equivalent in scale to adding 51 Walmart Supercenters—and involve around 51 massive buildings designed primarily for AI and high-performance computing.

Tim Bachak, a 43-year-old public school teacher, once enjoyed evenings watching black bears, deer, coyotes, owls, and turkeys emerge from the birch, maple, and oak forests bordering his backyard.

He viewed the wildlife as evidence that the area had recovered from its industrial past. But that changed recently when crews began clearing about 180 acres of trees for one of the proposed sites.

“Those animals now have no place to go,” Bachak told The Washington Post as he surveyed a landscape of stumps. “It’s disgusting. … Why are they putting these things near us, near our schools and near our parks?”

The surge in proposals stems from the area’s access to reliable power via a major transmission line, abundant freshwater, and available land. Five different developers are involved, with projects that could border residential areas, displace a trailer park, and generate significant noise, water use, and light pollution. Residents worry about impacts on electricity rates, the environment, and quality of life in this once-quiet community.

Opposition has intensified. The “Stop Archbald Data Centers” Facebook group has swelled to nearly 10,000 members. Hundreds have attended heated council meetings, planted “NO DATA CENTERS” signs in yards, and voiced concerns over undisclosed tech tenants and potential strains on local resources.

One resident, Michael Pilch, questioned the broader effects: “I want to know the effects of electricity usage, water usage, noise pollution, light pollution.”

Archbald Mayor Shirley Barrett noted the rapid pace has fractured the community: “This debate has destroyed this community. We want answers, but we have no clue what is going on because this is all happening so quickly.”

Some developers have highlighted potential economic benefits, including tax revenue and jobs, while promising buffers from homes. However, local pushback has already led to council shifts, with opponents now holding key seats. Permits and approvals remain pending, meaning construction could still be months or years away.

“No one wants this,” Bachak said, “except the people making money off it.” The situation in Archbald reflects broader tensions as data center demand grows nationwide amid the AI boom.

Source: https://endtimeheadlines.org/2026/04/single-town-in-pennsylvania-of-7000-planned-so-many-data-centers-it-was-equivalent-of-adding-51-walmarts/

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The post Single town in Pennsylvania of 7,000 planned so many data centers, it was equivalent of adding 51 Walmarts appeared first on HopeGirl Blog.

Source: https://www.hopegirlblog.com/2026/05/11/single-town-in-pennsylvania-of-7000-planned-so-many-data-centers-it-was-equivalent-of-adding-51-walmarts/