‘I call it a bribe’: Pennsylvania residents spurn US$10,000 data centre checks

In Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, local opposition has blocked or delayed at least 75 data centre projects during the first three months of 2026, according to industry tracker Data Center Watch. One resident, Ed Negra, calls a promise of US$10,000 checks to each household upon completion of the data centre a "bribe." The controversy stems from plans to build a data centre on 1,200 acres of land, leading residents to mobilize against the project due to concerns about noise, pollution, and the potential loss of their pristine forest environment.

This opposition echoes conflicts across the United States, with polls showing hostility towards data centres crossing party lines. However, Republican President Donald Trump supports these projects for their potential to bolster US dominance in artificial intelligence. Despite the setback, developer NorthPoint Development continues to push forward, sending letters to local residents claiming there is misinformation and fear surrounding the project.

In a nearby rural area, residents of Sugarloaf Township are fighting a high-voltage power line that is intended to supply the data centre. They are not eligible for the potential US$10,000 checks but are vehemently opposed to the project, viewing it as a threat to the beauty and tranquility of their community. Some residents, like Annie Vinatieri, have been fighting the power line for nearly two years, describing their struggle as a "David and Goliath" battle.

The opposition has brought people together across party lines, demonstrating the widespread concern over data centre projects in the region.