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Join today<\/a><\/p>\n \n Already a member? Your support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n A Pennsylvania<\/a> developer is offering every eligible household in a small township $10,000 if a massive data center <\/a>project moves forward \u2013 but many residents<\/a> still aren\u2019t sold.<\/p>\n NorthPoint Development wants to build a 1,300-acre data center campus in Hazle Township, near the Pocono foothills, with as many as 15 data center buildings and other infrastructure, the Wall Street Journal <\/a>reports.<\/p>\n The company outlined the offer in letters sent to residents in June, setting aside about $45 million for roughly 4,500 households. Residents could spend the money however they choose, but only if the project reaches the required stage. NorthPoint expects the first data center to receive its certificate of occupancy in late 2027, triggering the payments, according to the WSJ.<\/p>\n But the prospect of a $10,000 check has done little to quiet concerns in the township, which has about 10,460 residents. People living near the site have raised questions <\/a>about construction, noise and potential impacts on property values.<\/p>\n Jeff Fasnacht, a retired teacher who lives nearby, told the WSJ the payment would not make up for the potential loss in his home\u2019s value.<\/p>\n \u201c$10,000 doesn\u2019t match how much it\u2019s going to tank my property value,\u201d Fasnacht said.<\/p>\n Retired homeowner Ed Negra said the offer could backfire by encouraging residents to scrutinize the project’s potential drawbacks.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it works the opposite way, because most people have the opinion that, \u2018Hey, are they trying to bribe us here?\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n NorthPoint chief marketing officer Brent Miles said the payments were created after a public meeting last year, when residents pressed the company on what they would personally gain from the project.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ve got something here that\u2019s on the cutting edge, really in direct response to \u2018what\u2019s in it for me?\u2019\u201d Miles told the WSJ.<\/p>\n The company also plans to provide another $120 million over 15 years for community needs, including funding for the local police department, according to the WSJ.<\/p>\n Some residents said the money is worth considering. Charlie Leshko, a retired maintenance and janitorial worker who lives in a senior residence, said the payment could help him buy a car or put a down payment on a home.<\/p>\n \u201c$10,000 don\u2019t come along every day,\u201d he said. \u201cI always wanted to have my own house.\u201d<\/p>\n Retired foundry worker Carl Majusiak initially considered the offer but ultimately decided it was not enough to justify the development.<\/p>\n \u201cAt first it seems like \u2018well, OK, maybe I\u2019ll think about it,\u201d he said, before concluding, \u201cwe don\u2019t need that around here.\u201d<\/p>\n The Independent has contacted NorthPoint Development for comment.<\/p>\n The debate in Pennsylvania comes amid a nationwide backlash<\/a> against data centers entering local communities.<\/a> The facilities provide the computing power needed to run artificial intelligence but also require huge amounts of electricity<\/a>, land and other resources.<\/p>\n Public anxiety over AI<\/a> itself has also intensified. Earlier this month, former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon <\/a>warned that people developing advanced AI systems \u201cearnestly believe\u201d the technology could kill all humans <\/a>by the end of the decade. Anthropic researcher Evan Hubinger has similarly warned that he believes there is a greater than 10 percent chance<\/a> advanced AI could cause human extinction<\/a> within the next decade.<\/p>\n The warnings come as President Donald Trump<\/a> \u2013 a frequent AI user<\/a> \u2013 continues to push<\/a> for U.S. leadership in AI. Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson were meeting Tuesday with executives from OpenAI<\/a>, Anthropic, Meta and Nvidia to discuss AI, regulation and safety<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 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NorthPoint Development is offering residents of Hazel, Pennsylvania, $10,000 if a massive data center project moves forward in the small town, but so far, many residents aren’t buying it (Project Hazelnut)<\/p>\n