Project Bolt / Pennsylvania Digital I (PDX)
Overview
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 (PDX), was fast-tracked through a zoning overlay amendment introduced in April and approved May 30. The overlay makes data centers a use “by right,” meaning less opportunity for public pushback compared to conditional zoning.
At the same time, the township has been working on a comprehensive rewrite of its entire zoning ordinance: a years-long effort that has overlapped with the discussions and approvals surrounding this project, adding another layer of complexity for residents trying to follow along.
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.
- Source: PowerHouse Data Centers Press Release, July 15, 2025
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.
- Sign the petition opposing the data center.
- 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.
March 2025
- Middlesex Spring Newsletter [PDF] published – no mention of upcoming zoning changes.
March 21, 2025
- Township submits “New Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map” draft to the County Planning Department.
March 24, 2025
- 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.
April 25, 2025
- 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.
- May 30 Workshop Meeting Minutes [PDF]
June 5, 2025
- PennLive reports the adoption of the overlay district in article “Another central Pa. community creates space for a data center”
July 15, 2025
- Senator Dave McCormick hosts an “Energy and Innovation Summit,” attended by President Trump at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. PennLive covered this in the article “Pa.’s Sen. McCormick announces $90B in investments for AI, data centers, energy infrastructure”
- 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.”
- PowerHouse Data Centers Press release
July 24, 2025
- PennLive reports “Partnership pays $44M to lock down land for data center in Cumberland County”. This is a point where the project starts getting some buzz from locals.
June 26, 2025
- Township publishes amended draft comprehensive zoning ordinance and map to their website
August 10, 2025
August 11, 2025
- 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]
- PennLive noted public resistance at the meeting in article “Proposed data center in Cumberland County draws early resistance, skepticism”
August 25, 2025
- 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.
- August 25 Planning Commission Meeting Notes [PDF]
September 3, 2025
- Board of Supervisors meeting:
- 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.
