Many residents of Archbald, Pennsylvania, are voicing concerns after learning the town could become home to multiple data centers, with proposals reportedly totaling six. Now, a political TikToker is weighing in on the plans and why they have sparked local opposition.
TikToker @americanunityparty says that Archbald, Pennsylvania is only home to 7,000 people. But for some reason, they’re in the works for receiving a total of six data centers. As he explains, “14% of the entire size of the town” would essentially be taken over by these data centers. He then discusses how these data centers have taken up hundreds of acres and that the town will lose so much living space because of it. He says this case is an “extreme concentration” that typically isn’t seen.
Right now, the data centers are still going through an approval stage and can be appealed. Experts have voiced their opinions against the data centers. They’ve said that “the entire water table of the area could be completely drained” due to this. This means that all 7,000 people in Archbald will be left without water over time. And what would happen when the data centers drain all their water? They would allegedly have to leave.
Further information shows that a real estate investor spoke with the people of Archbald about their concerns over the data center. The investor, Nick Farris, is in support of the centers. He told the town at a meeting, “I don’t like to see anyone upset. However, I think that this is the best data center site in this area of the country, by far.” He was met with angry locals who oppose the data centers being built right in their area. Farris continued to tell locals, “It’s going to be away from everyone. It’s not going to bother anyone.” The ramifications stated by experts didn’t seem to matter. Now, time will tell if they move forward with the centers and what it will mean for Archbald and surrounding areas.
The video continues to spark attention from people who either agree or disagree with the installment of data centers. Many viewers continue to criticize the decision and the higher-ups going along with it. They continue to state that the data centers are unnecessary, especially such a large number of them in a small area.
Locals discussed the situation and shared their opinions on the matter as well. One commenter shared, “Archbald isn’t allowing it to go up. They are all protesting it. The data centers are appealing the city council’s rejection.” However, no signs point to them stopping anytime soon. As one commenter who lives there shared, “We are trying but our Governor is fast tracking some of them so we may not be able to stop them.” Another commenter shared that they’ve already been preparing the area. They commented, “They already cleared all the trees out.”
Questions remain about the proposed data centers and what their development could mean for the future of the town. Residents of Archbald continue to voice their opposition and make their concerns heard amid the decision.
