Middlesex Township is home to one of two proposed data center projects in Cumberland County. This project, referred to as Project Bolt or Pennsylvania Digital I (PAX-1), was fast-tracked through a zoning overlay amendment introduced in April 2026 and approved May 30, 2026. The overlay makes data centers a use “by right,” meaning less opportunity for public pushback compared to conditional zoning.
The overlay zone covers 715 acres bordering the Conodoguinet Creek to the north, near neighborhoods such as Cumberland Preserve Estates and, across the creek, Country Manor West.
According to the developer’s press release:
The project includes three campuses with six buildings each (18 total).
Each campus will have a dedicated 450 MW substation.
Total planned capacity: 1.35 GW, expandable to 1.8 GW.
Under the Data Center Overlay amendment and the revised comprehensive ordinance enacted on September 3, data centers will be permitted in the Industrial zone (purple) and the data center overlay (downard-slanting lines).
The project’s public launch on July 15 coincided with the Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University, where Sen. Dave McCormick praised it as a “groundbreaking” AI investment and President Trump was also in attendance, highlighting the high-level political momentum behind it.
Because data centers are now permitted by right in the overlay zone, there are fewer official checkpoints to slow or stop this project. But residents still have leverage.
What You Can Do
Request copies of all required studies from the township.
Attend the developer’s outreach meeting on September 9 and ask direct questions.
Tell your elected officials their decisions on this issue will affect your vote.
Stay engaged: review agendas, show up at township and planning meetings, and speak up whenever the project comes up for discussion.
Timeline
Background This tract of land was formerly planned to be a development created by McNaughton Homes called “Cumberland Knoll.” Groundwork had already begun, but the project was ultimately put on pause and the land sold, as covered by this PennLive article from 2017: “Former 503-acre horse farm, approved for more than 1,000 homes, is going to auction” At the time of the article, Middlesex Township zoning officer Mark Carpenter told PennLive he didn’t think industrial uses would ever be approved for the property.
Planning Commission holds discussion for draft of new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, receives public comment and motions to both make revisions based on the public comment, and then submit to the Board of Supervisors for public hearing and enactment.
Workshop Meeting – Attorney Charles Courtney submits “Data Center Overlay District Amendment” to the County Planning Department. It is substantially similar to the data center provisions in the draft ordinance from March, but is meant as a “backup plan” to gain quick approval, citing PPL’s first-come, first-served power allocation. April 25 Workshop Meeting Minutes [PDF]
May 10, 2025
Board of Supervisors cancels June 4 meeting; announces hearing for comprehensive zoning ordinance will be rescheduled for June 27. Notice of Cancellation [PDF]
May 30, 2025
Public hearing on the Data Center Overlay Application
Board of Supervisors votes unanimously (3-0) to adopt Ordinance No. 3-2025, creating a Data Center Overlay District covering 694 acres on Country Club Road.
Same day: Pennsylvania Data Center Partners and PowerHouse Data Centers announce purchase of the land and plans for Pennsylvania Digital I, a 1.35 GW (expandable to 1.8 GW) AI data hub on 700 acres.
McCormick: “This venture between Pennsylvania Data Center Partners and PowerHouse Data Centers is groundbreaking for AI infrastructure … It’s a bold and meaningful investment that puts Pennsylvania at the heart of America’s emerging AI tech economy.”
Planning Commission holds discussion on the Master Sketch Plan for Project Bolt. Though possible action was listed on the agenda, there was no official submission and thus no action taken. August 11 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes [PDF]
Planning Commission approves a laydown yard plan specific to the PPL Substation Buildout at the site of the planned Data Center, contingent on revisions and conditions.
Board of Supervisors action deadline set for November 5, 2025.
Approves contracts with Herbert Rowland & Grubic engineering firm for Project Bolt review.
Approves the revised comprehensive zoning ordinance draft from June that had been in progress for three years.
Announces Board of Supervisors will likely act on the laydown plan at the September 26 meeting; this date was postponed due to the developer requesting to wait until after the public meeting on September 9.
(Source: Personal notes from meeting; minutes not published yet)
What’s next for this project?
September 8, 2025
Planning Commission meeting cancelled.
September 9, 2025
Developer Public Outreach Meeting
Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
Location: The Barn at Creek’s Bend, Carlisle Sports Emporium, 29 South Middlesex Road, Carlisle, PA 17015 Public Outreach Invitation [PDF]
September 10, 2025
Planning Commission Workshop Meeting (agenda TBD, keep your eyes peeled.).
September 22, 2025
Planning Commission Regular Meeting.
September 26, 2025
Planning Commission Workshop Meeting — expected action on the PPL Substation laydown plan.
October 1, 2025
Planning Commission Regular Meeting.
Join us on June 11th for our informational Data Center Panel at the Carlisle Theater!
