November 1 Issue - Newspaper - Page 8
Page 8
EDITION 10
May 13 2025
Data Centers are coming!
Washington County,
Pennsylvania, is rapidly
emerging as a prime
destination for data center
development, attracting
significant investment
from tech giants and
infrastructure developers.
This surge is driven by a
combination of strategic
location, abundant energy
resources, robust
infrastructure, and
supportive state and local
incentives.
Strategic Location
and Energy
Abundance
Situated in the heart of
the Marcellus Shale
region, Washington
County offers proximity
to one of the nation's
most prolific natural gas
reserves. This access
provides a reliable and
cost-effective energy
source, essential for
powering
energy-intensive data
centers. For instance, the
Fort Cherry Development
District in Robinson
Township is poised to
host a state-of-the-art
power generation facility
tailored to meet the
energy demands of data
centers and other
high-energy-use
businesses in
Pennsylvania.The Energy
Age+1Axios+1
Additionally, the county
benefits from existing
infrastructure, including
high-voltage grid
connections and
proximity to major
metropolitan areas like
Pittsburgh, facilitating
efficient data
transmission and
connectivity.
Infrastructure Enhancements
Recognizing the critical role of digital connectivity,
Washington County has invested in expanding
broadband access. A $9.4 million state grant, part of a
$27 million project, is set to extend 400 miles of
high-speed internet to over 2,700 homes and businesses
across 13 municipalities. This initiative aims to bridge
the digital divide, enhancing opportunities for residents
and businesses alike.
While the expansion of natural gas infrastructure raises
environmental concerns, developers are exploring
sustainable energy solutions to mitigate impacts. For
example, the redevelopment of the retired Homer City
Generating Station into a $10 billion natural
gas-powered data center campus aims to utilize
advanced technologies to reduce emissions and
enhance energy efficiency.
Supportive Incentives and Economic
Development
Both state and local governments offer a range of
incentives to attract data center investments. The
Pennsylvania Computer Data Center Equipment
Incentive Program provides tax refunds for sales and
use tax paid on qualified computer data center
equipment utilized within certified facilities. To qualify,
data centers must commit to significant capital
investments and job creation, ensuring long-term
economic benefits for the region. The Washington
County Commissioners are working hard to land
multiple centers that will boost natural gas use in the
county.
COUNTY WELL POSITIONED FOR
DATA CENTER INDUSTRY
By Patrick Geho
Washington County is
quickly becoming a
prime destination for
data center development,
attracting significant
investments from tech
companies and
infrastructure
developers. This growth
is driven by a
combination of a
strategic location,
abundant energy
resources, robust
infrastructure, and
supportive incentives
from state and local
governments.
Located in the heart of
the Marcellus Shale
region, the county
benefits from its
Environmental Considerations and Future
Outlook
proximity to one of the
nation's most prolific
natural gas reserves. This
access provides a reliable
and cost-effective energy
source, which is essential
for powering
energy-intensive data
centers. For example, the
Fort Cherry
Development District in
Robinson Township is
set to host a
state-of-the-art power
generation facility
designed to meet the
energy demands of data
centers and other
high-energy-use
businesses in
Pennsylvania.
Furthermore, the county
has existing
infrastructure, including
high-voltage grid
connections and close
proximity to major
metropolitan areas like
Pittsburgh, which
facilitates efficient data
transmission and
connectivity.
Recognizing the
importance of digital
connectivity, Washington
County has invested in
expanding broadband
access throughout the
area, supported by
federal funding. This
initiative aims to bridge
the digital divide,
enhancing opportunities
for both residents and
businesses.
Looking ahead, Washington County's combination of
strategic location, abundant energy resources, robust
infrastructure, and supportive incentives positions it as
a key player in the growing data center industry. As
demand for cloud computing and AI applications
continues to rise, the county is well-positioned to meet
these needs, driving economic growth and
technological advancement in the region.
Both state and local
governments provide a
range of incentives to
attract data center
investments. The
Pennsylvania Computer
Data Center Equipment
Incentive Program offers
tax refunds for sales and
use taxes paid on
qualified equipment used
within certified facilities.
To qualify, data centers
must make significant
capital investments and
create jobs, ensuring
long-term economic
benefits for the region.
The Washington County
Commissioners are
actively working to
attract multiple centers
that will increase the
utilization of natural gas
in the county.
While the expansion of
natural gas infrastructure
raises environmental
concerns, developers are
exploring sustainable
energy solutions to
mitigate impacts. For
example, the
redevelopment of the
retired Homer City
Generating Station into a
$10 billion natural
gas-powered data center
campus aims to utilize
advanced technologies to
reduce emissions and
enhance energy
efficiency.
Looking ahead,
Washington County’s
strategic location,
abundant energy
resources, robust
infrastructure, and
supportive incentives
position it as a key
player in the growing
data center industry. As
demand for cloud
computing and AI
applications continues to
rise, the county is
well-positioned to meet
these needs, driving
economic growth and
technological
advancement in the
region.
