Tell Monroe Township (Cumberland Cty): No Data Center on W. Grantham / Williams Grove Rd

6,390

The Issue

SPECIAL FUNDRAISING NOTE: money raised here by Change.org  DOES NOT fund our No Monroe Data Centers efforts.

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PowerHouse Data Centers and Pennsylvania Data Center Partners initially asked to make a presentation at the June 11, 2026 meeting of the Monroe Township Board of Supervisors. A second request from them was to postpone the presentation...that they would be back in a month or two after modifying their presentation to include "resident concerns". The project would place a data center in the southeastern portion of the township on land they describe as “secured” — land that is currently zoned residential.

To move forward, the developers would need a zoning change. Monroe Township’s existing ordinance allows data centers only as a conditional use within Industrial and Highway Commercial districts—not in residential zones—and they would also need public water and public sewer.

Proposed Mechanicsburg Parcels

  • 826 West Grantham Road – 105 undeveloped acres, part of the “Meadows of Ashcombe” residential subdivision (unrelated to Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouse). The subdivision planned an initial phase of 90 homes, but due to limited sewer capacity, the land is now being marketed for other uses.
  • 1435 Williams Grove Road – 39.3 mostly undeveloped acres owned by Quan and Nha Tran.

Regional Impact: More Than One Township (Monroe, Upper Allen, Carroll + Downstream Yellow Breeches to the Susquehanna River)

This isn't just a Monroe Township issue. The West Grantham Road parcel borders Upper Allen Township and both parcels are adjacent to multiple neighborhoods. Communities in Carroll Township are just one mile away as well.

Within a 3-mile radius — spanning Monroe, Upper Allen, and Carroll Townships—there are more than 46 residential neighborhoods and approximately 17,800 souls who could be affected. 

WATER IMPLICATIONS —

  • Wells: Any household or business on a well within a 3-5 mile radius of the proposed parcels would have their water source risked.
  • Public water: Any residents in Cumberland County and Northern York County with public water services from American Water and Veolia are at risk (upwards of 100,000+ customers). These two water companies draw raw drinking water from the Yellow Breeches, and the two proposed parcels are a mere 800 yards from points along the Yellow Breeches. Water source could be impacted via pollution and/or drained for data center use. 

There may also be implications for South Middleton Township. Through an intermunicipal agreement, the South Middleton Township Municipal Authority supplies water to parts of Monroe, while many other homes across these townships rely on private wells.

Key Resident Concerns

  • Resource Demand: Data centers consume large amounts of water and electricity, operating continuously and potentially driving up utility costs.
  • Infrastructure Strain: Increased demand on local systems with limited long-term job creation.
  • Noise & Pollution: Constant operational noise, light pollution, and emissions affecting nearby residents, pets, livestock, and wildlife.
  • Water Supply Risks: Many households and farms depend on wells and groundwater; heavy usage could threaten supply. 
  • Environmental Impact: Potential harm to agriculture, local ecosystems, and nearby waterways such as Yellow Breeches Creek—a habitat for trout, protected species, and bald eagles.
  • Community Character & Property Values: Concerns about declining property values and loss of the area’s countryside and residential identity.
  • Health & Safety: Questions about long-term exposure to noise, emissions, and electromagnetic fields that warrant thorough study before approval.

Take Action

Residents are encouraged to speak out to protect local neighborhoods, farmland, water resources, and wildlife. Sign the petition and make your voice heard: Monroe Township should not be reshaped by industrial development in a residential district.

NO MONROE DATA CENTER website​

NO MONROE DATA CENTER facebook group

Attend Township Meetings:
Planning Commission meetings - first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm
Board of Supervisor meetings - second Thursday of the month at 7 pm

Monroe Township Municipal Building, 1220 Boiling Springs Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 

FUNDRAISING NOTE: money raised by this site DOES NOT fund No Monroe Data Centers efforts. Reach out to us on FB for ways to donate to the attorney retainer or to obtain signs, car magnets, etc.

 

The Decision Makers

Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania Governor
Austin Davis
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor
Stacy Garrity
Pennsylvania Treasurer

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates