Roaring Spring, a town with a rich industrial heritage and a tightly knit community, now faces a monumental decision that threatens to reshape its future. It is at the site of the old paper mill, a cornerstone of our history, that a proposition stands to construct an AI data center. This plan has sparked concern and opposition from residents not only within our borough and township but across Blair County.

The picturesque skyline that narrates our home in "the cove"  is at risk of being overshadowed by infrastructure incongruent with our values.

The environmental impact this center could impose is daunting, not only for Roaring Spring but all surrounding Towns. The power demands of such facilities are enormous and, as a community, we're rightfully worried about the strain on our local power grid. Increased energy consumption could lead to disruptions and possibly higher costs for residents, undermining our quality of life.

Not only Roaring Spring is threatened by this development this will be a drastic decision for all of Blair county, that we cannot go back on once it is made. The introduction of a data center will bring significant noise pollution and disrupt wildlife in our peaceful town.  This change does not reflect the desires of community members who cherish their small town surroundings. 

Our appeal is to Taylor Township and state representatives: we urge you to take our voices into account. Review the full ramifications of this. Consider how it aligns—or fails to—with the long-term interests and well-being of Roaring Spring, Martinsburg and Blair County.

There must be a comprehensive and transparent discussion involving community taxpayers to explore alternatives that could bring economic benefits without such significant detriment. Ensuring sustainable development means embracing innovations that complement, not compromise, our community strengths.

We are submitting the below requests to ensure that any regulatory text protects our community rather than granting a corporate blank check- 

 Independent Grid & Environmental Impact Appraisals: We request that the township and county planning commission refuse to move forward with any zoning or land development reviews until comprehensive, third-party impact studies are conducted at the developer’s expense. We need independent proof regarding water table safety and energy grid strain, specifically addressing how a massive 24/7 power draw will affect localized infrastructure and Penelec/FirstEnergy/VREC consumer utility rates.

Strict Noise Boundaries with Automatic Enforcement: The continuous, 24/7 low-frequency hum of industrial data center cooling infrastructure is a documented threat to quiet enjoyment and residential property 

State-Level Legislative Oversight: We urge State Representative Barger to intervene at the legislative level to ensure that this project is held to strict alignment with state energy policies. We ask our state representative to push for full developer transparency.

Dedicated Public Town Hall: BEFORE any zoning changes or ordinance frameworks are advertised in the Altoona Mirror for a final vote, we request that the township and planning commission host a dedicated, standalone public town hall meeting where residents can cross-examine the developers directly.

Please, as stewards of this decision, stand with us in saying that this data center is not the future Roaring Spring envisions.

We need a solution that respects our history, enhances our community, and sustains our resources.

Help us preserve the Roaring Spring we love. Sign this petition to demand local and state officials carefully consider the community's voice against the data center.