Cumberland County · Middlesex Township · #3134
Pennsylvania Digital 1 (PAX-1) Phase 2
Middlesex Township, PA · 675,000 sq ft non-residential, data center
About this project
Phase 2 of the 693-acre PAX-1 data center development in Middlesex Township, with a campus of about six buildings totaling roughly 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 2 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
- 2025-12-16 · #3134 · Submission · 675,000 sq ft
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
Phase 2 of PAX-1 is part of a large data center campus planned on about 693 acres in Middlesex Township. County records describe roughly six buildings totaling about 675,000 square feet. A data center is a secure building full of computer servers that needs a lot of electricity and cooling water.
The township planning commission has reviewed a layout that splits the tract into three campuses of six buildings each, plus a lot for an electrical substation. Township agendas show supervisors were due to consider a preliminary land development plan for Phase 2 on July 1, 2026. No result was found. A Phase 3 plan was on the September 2, 2026 agenda.
A group of residents calling itself Stop PAX-1 has challenged the project in court. A judge declined to halt construction but scheduled further hearings. Press reports cite the developer's estimates of about 450 jobs and large tax revenue. No end user was identified.
What it could mean nearby
- Water: a local water authority reportedly set aside up to 400,000 gallons a day for the site.
- Jobs and taxes: press reports cite about 450 jobs and tens of millions of dollars a year in tax revenue, based on developer figures.
- Environment and open space: opponents raise concerns about the nearby Appalachian Trail and Susquehanna River.
- Power: a substation is planned on site, and reports say the power source was still undecided.
Where it stands
Phase 2 was before the township supervisors for preliminary land development review in mid-2026, and the outcome was not found. Next usually come final land development approval, state and local permits, and then construction. Court challenges could affect the timing.
- Sep 2026 Supervisors' agenda lists a preliminary land development plan for Phase 3 of PAX-1.
- Jul 2026 Supervisors' agenda lists a possible motion on the Phase 2 preliminary land development plan.
- Jan 2026 Local media report township approval of subdivision plans for the campus.
- Dec 16, 2025 Latest county planning filing for Phase 2.
Want to weigh in? The Middlesex Township Board of Supervisors decides land development plans and takes public comment at its regular meetings, which are listed on the township website.
Who's behind it
Carlisle Development Partners (reported, with PowerHouse) · Press and data center trackers name this development group and PowerHouse as involved, but no official project page was found.
Around the web
- Board of Supervisors Agenda, September 2, 2026Middlesex Township · Sep 2, 2026Lists a possible motion on the Phase 3 preliminary land development plan.
- Board of Supervisors Agenda, July 1, 2026Middlesex Township · Jul 1, 2026Lists discussion and a possible motion on the Phase 2 preliminary land development plan.
- Plans approved for 18-building data center in PennsylvaniaWHP580 Newsroom · Jan 9, 2026Reports subdivision approval, the jobs and tax estimates, and the water allocation.
- Judge refuses to stop PAX-1 data center but sets new hearingabc27Describes the court challenge by opponents and the judge's decision not to halt work.
Planning terms explained
- Subdivision
- Dividing a large property into separate lots, here to create several data center campuses.
- Preliminary land development plan
- An early detailed site plan that the township reviews before granting final approval to build.
- Planning commission
- An advisory local board that reviews plans and recommends action to the elected supervisors.
- Board of Supervisors
- The township's elected governing body, which votes on development approvals.
- Substation
- A facility that steps electricity up or down so a large user can connect to the power grid.
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)