Cumberland County · Middlesex Township · #3120
Pennsylvania Digital 1 (PAX-1) Phase 1B
Middlesex Township, PA · 675,000 sq ft non-residential, data center
About this project
Phase 1B of the 693-acre PAX-1 data center development along Country Club Road in Middlesex Township. It includes a data center campus of about six buildings, a private access drive, a security building and on-site water and sewer storage, totaling about 675,000 sq ft.
Official description: PAX-1 IS A 693-ACRE DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT IN MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA, ALONG COUNTRY CLUB RD, BORDERED BY THE CONODOGUINET CREEK AND INTERSTATE 81. THE PROJECT IS COMPRISED OF THREE CAMPUSES, A PPL SUBSTATION, 3 CUSTOMER SUBSTATIONS, A NEW PROPOSED PRIVATE STREET WITH PUBLIC ACCESS ROAD "PA DATA DRIVE" IS PROPOSED. PHASE IB SPECIFICALLY CONSISTS OF A DATA CENTER CAMPUS CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 6 BUILDING, PRIVATE ACCESS DRIVE, A SECURITY BUILDING, AND ON-SITE WATER AND SEWER STORAGE.
Filing history
- 2025-12-05 · #3120 · Submission · 675,000 sq ft
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
Phase 1B is the first data center campus within the larger PAX-1 project. PAX-1 covers about 693 acres along Country Club Road in Middlesex Township, northeast of Carlisle. Phase 1B would have about six data center buildings, a private access drive, a security building and on-site water and sewer storage. Together they total about 675,000 square feet.
The site was earlier planned for homes, and some road and utility work had started on part of it. Phase 1A, a separate piece, is a utility substation. Local news describes the whole PAX-1 effort as a roughly $15 billion project with a much larger campus planned (about 18 buildings).
Residents' groups have opposed the project and filed zoning appeals and a lawsuit. A judge declined to halt construction at one point. No source found names the end user. One undated video report says supervisors approved Phase 1B's final plan, but no dated source confirms it.
What it could mean nearby
- Township records show the supervisors reviewing a side letter on well testing and noise monitoring, so water use and noise are live local concerns.
- The project includes a private access drive and its own on-site water and sewer storage.
- A promotional piece from a project partner projects large new tax revenue for the school district, township and county. This is a projection, not a confirmed figure.
- Residents' groups have raised concerns about the project's scale, and court challenges are pending.
Where it stands
Township agendas show the Planning Commission reviewing the Phase 1B preliminary plan in spring 2026, and the supervisors listing the final land development plan on a September 2, 2026 agenda. An undated video report says it was approved. Next come any remaining permits, the court appeals, and then construction.
- Sep 2, 2026 Supervisors' agenda lists the Phase 1B final land development plan and a side letter on well testing and noise monitoring
- Aug 19, 2026 Special supervisors' meeting; deadline for action on an amendment to the Phase 1B developer's agreement
- Apr 13, 2026 Planning Commission minutes show the Phase 1B preliminary plan tabled at the applicant's request so it could answer staff comments
- Mar 2026 Supervisors approved a 450 MW substation on the site (Phase 1A), per one trade report
- Jan 9, 2026 Local radio reports township approval of plans for an 18-building campus
- Dec 5, 2025 Latest county filing for Phase 1B
Want to weigh in? The Middlesex Township Board of Supervisors makes the local decisions, and residents can comment at its public meetings; the agendas are posted on the township website.
Around the web
- 09 02 2026 AgendaMiddlesex Township · Sep 2, 2026Lists the Phase 1-B final land development plan and a side letter on well testing and noise monitoring.
- 08 19 2026 Revised Special MeetingMiddlesex Township · Aug 19, 2026Special supervisors' meeting agenda that includes a Phase 1B developer's agreement amendment.
- PC Minutes 04 13 2026Middlesex Township · Apr 13, 2026Records the Phase 1B preliminary plan being tabled and describes Phase 1B as the first data center campus.
- Judge refuses to stop PAX-1 data center but sets new hearingabc27Reports a judge declined to halt construction amid residents' legal challenges.
- 450 MW substation approved for $15B Pennsylvania Digital I data centerConstruction ReviewReports approval of the on-site substation and describes the wider project's power capacity.
- Plans approved for 18-building data center in PennsylvaniaWHP580 Newsroom · Jan 9, 2026Reports township approval of plans for the larger 18-building campus.
Planning terms explained
- Final land development plan
- The detailed site plan the township reviews and approves before building permits can be issued.
- Preliminary plan
- An earlier, less detailed plan review that gives the township and public a first look at the layout.
- Developer's agreement
- A contract between the township and the builder setting out obligations such as improvements and timelines.
- Zoning appeal
- A challenge to a zoning decision, filed with the zoning hearing board or the courts.
- Substation
- An electrical facility that steps power down from high-voltage lines for use on site.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $472.5M
- ~3,375 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~1,687 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)