Data center developer Edged Energy brought its $8.9 billion argument for a hyperscale campus to South Whitehall Township on Thursday night, but the company’s charm offensive fell flat before a packed, vocal crowd at Springhouse Middle School, and the planning commission postponed any formal vote on the revised plan to August 19.
What Edged Pitched
The project, branded “Project Atlas,” calls for three data center buildings, one administration facility and one warehouse on three parcels along North Cedar Crest Boulevard, totaling roughly 1.5 million square feet across 410 acres at addresses 2493, 2747 and 2807 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Edged officials told the commission the campus would represent an $8.9 billion investment, generate $99.5 million in projected annual economic activity for the township and pay $16.5 million per year in local taxes.
Edged tried to reframe the community debate, insisting that most concerns circulating about data centers were “either partially or mostly inaccurate.” The company also attempted to play a promotional video to illustrate its case, but a technology failure left the video unviewable on screen. The gaffe drew a sustained roar of applause, and shouts, from the audience.
The Community’s Response
Residents, organized in part through groups including the South Whitehall Civic Alliance and the grass-roots campaign Oppose Atlas Data Center, packed the Springhouse Middle School auditorium and, according to reporting by WFMZ 69 News, argued with Edged officials “virtually all night.” Concerns center on the project’s proximity to Parkland High School, anticipated stress on the regional electrical grid, traffic impacts and a broad belief that a 1.5-million-square-foot industrial campus is incompatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Thursday’s session followed a fraught history for the proposal. South Whitehall’s zoning officer had previously recommended denial of an earlier version of the plan, and the project has faced sustained organized opposition since it first appeared on township agendas. The revised plan returned as a preliminary plan review, not yet a vote, giving residents another formal opportunity to be heard before the commission deliberates.
What Comes Next
The South Whitehall Township Planning Commission is scheduled to hold its vote on Project Atlas on August 19, ahead of an August 31 procedural deadline. Planners confirmed residents will have additional opportunities to speak before that vote is taken.
Whatever the commission recommends, the plan will ultimately require action by township supervisors before any construction could begin, making the coming six weeks a critical stretch for both Edged and the community groups working to stop the project.
At a Glance
- Developer Edged Energy is proposing “Project Atlas”: 1.5 million sq. ft. of data center and support buildings on 410 acres along N. Cedar Crest Blvd. in South Whitehall Township.
- The company claims an $8.9 billion investment, $99.5 million in annual local economic impact and $16.5 million in yearly taxes.
- Residents packed Springhouse Middle School on July 9; Edged’s video presentation failed mid-meeting to prolonged applause from opponents.
- No vote was taken. The planning commission vote is scheduled for August 19 (deadline: August 31).
