South Bend Township in Armstrong County is planning a moratorium on AI data center development to prevent a proposed campus from being built on local hunting land. “Nobody knew this was coming. You know, it took everybody by surprise. This is something you see in the cities where, you know, where there’s industry and structures out there. They’re not out here where we live,” one resident said. The land in question is owned by a local gas company and has been put up for sale to an AI data center developer based in Florida. It is currently leased as hunting property and lacks infrastructure. Residents push back in a rural communityThe township, which has no zoning ordinances, has a population of about 960 residents. Of those, 200 have signed a petition opposing the development. “They don’t think there’s going to be a lot of resistance. There is no zoning. And they can just kind of squeeze them in and put them where they want without much resistance. And I think they’re going to find more and more in these rural areas, and that’s not going to happen,” resident Brian Buchanan said. “People move out here to get away from the city. And this is bringing this city to us,” David Linsenbigler added. In addition to the moratorium, township supervisors have met with local planning specialists from Harrisburg to explore options for zoning, a zoning board, and a planning commission.
SOUTH BEND TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
South Bend Township in Armstrong County is planning a moratorium on AI data center development to prevent a proposed campus from being built on local hunting land.
“Nobody knew this was coming. You know, it took everybody by surprise. This is something you see in the cities where, you know, where there’s industry and structures out there. They’re not out here where we live,” one resident said.
The land in question is owned by a local gas company and has been put up for sale to an AI data center developer based in Florida. It is currently leased as hunting property and lacks infrastructure.
The township, which has no zoning ordinances, has a population of about 960 residents. Of those, 200 have signed a petition opposing the development.
“They don’t think there’s going to be a lot of resistance. There is no zoning. And they can just kind of squeeze them in and put them where they want without much resistance. And I think they’re going to find more and more in these rural areas, and that’s not going to happen,” resident Brian Buchanan said.
“People move out here to get away from the city. And this is bringing this city to us,” David Linsenbigler added.
In addition to the moratorium, township supervisors have met with local planning specialists from Harrisburg to explore options for zoning, a zoning board, and a planning commission.