Local officials in a rural Pennsylvania community have approved new zoning rules, bringing 194 local families one step closer to a possible $1.4 billion land deal for a large technology and energy campus. The Salem Township Board of Supervisors voted 2-0 on 27 October 2026 to expand the area’s Special Data Center Overlay district, according to GlobeNewswire. The decision covers 4,466 acres of farmland, homes, and former agricultural properties in Luzerne County. The land has been selected for the proposed Salem 3 Campus. A proposed $12 million micro-hospital, which is part of a community benefits package, also depends on final agreements.
Despite this important approval, the multi-billion-dollar deal is not yet final. It still depends on completed property contracts, power agreements, and other required project approvals.
The project plans to build a 4-gigawatt digital infrastructure and energy campus by using the large amount of electricity already generated in the township. Salem Township is part of the PJM Interconnection wholesale electricity market. It is also home to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant and a major combined-cycle natural gas power facility.
Jack Sordoni, co-founder of development company 4-3 Glennbrook Group, spoke about why the location was suitable after the public hearing. The plans also aim to meet state electricity grid requirements set out in Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order 2026-05. The project plan includes a proposed $43 million Community Benefit Agreement. One of the main parts of the proposal is $12 million for a new local micro-hospital. The project also plans to keep around 75 per cent of the 4,466-acre site as natural buffer areas, open spaces, and protected environmental zones. Mike Cabell, principal at 4-3 Glennbrook Group, spoke about how the families considered future generations when making their decisions. The Salem 3 project will now move forward to further technical reviews, environmental studies, and assessments of its connection to the electricity grid.
Residents lost their main local medical centre after Berwick Hospital closed permanently.
It’s about where and how,” Sordoni stated, according to GlobeNewswire. “These families made a big decision about their land, and they made it with their kids and grandkids in mind,” Cabell stated to GlobeNewswire. ” According to reporting by GovTech, communities across Pennsylvania continue to discuss the effects of large data center projects.
“Data centers are not a yes or no question. “In this case, ‘where’ happens to be between two nuclear towers, a massive gas plant, major electrical infrastructure and virtually unlimited fuel sources. The ‘how’ comes from embracing the landowners, their value and their dignity, and coming together as a community to recognize the opportunity a project like this promises. Documents submitted by the developers show that the proposed campus will use closed-loop cooling systems. These systems are designed to prevent the project from taking large amounts of water from local sources. The money would support local government services and improvements to regional infrastructure. The facility would bring urgent and emergency medical services back to the area. Participating landowners have also suggested using part of the money from the land sale to support Heritage Park. The planned year-round recreational space would be located on the former Beach Haven Carnival grounds. “Tonight’s vote shows that decision was worth it. They stuck with this through every meeting and every question, and we’re going to get this done for them in a way that benefits the community for generations. Local concerns include industrial development, growing electricity demand, and the tax benefits these projects could bring. These discussions are becoming more important as demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure increases across the country.
These steps must be completed before the property transfers can officially close.