Slate Belt Technology Campus

The Slate Belt Technology Campus would be located on industrial property along River Road in Upper Mount Bethel Township.

The property is within an existing industrial area near the former Portland coal plant and near regional energy infrastructure, making it a location suited for careful consideration of a technology campus under modern zoning and performance standards.

A central principle of the project is that the Slate Belt Technology Campus should protect electricity ratepayers by paying its own way for the energy infrastructure it requires. The project would be responsible for securing the power needed to operate the campus and for funding the infrastructure necessary to serve the development, rather than shifting those costs to local residents or other ratepayers.

This approach reflects a commitment to responsible growth: the project can support new technology investment and economic development while ensuring that local households and businesses are not asked to subsidize the electrical demands of the campus.

The Slate Belt Technology Campus is being planned with water stewardship as a core design priority. The project would use closed-loop cooling systems. Initial water supplies would be brought in to fill the system, and the system will continually recirculate water within the cooling process. This will meaningfully reduce ongoing water consumption compared with traditional once-through approaches.

Any wastewater that is captured from the closed-loop cooling system will be shipped to an off-site wastewater treatment system for disposal.

By using advanced cooling technology and designing the campus around efficient resource use, the project would help preserve local water resources while supporting the reliable operation of a modern data center campus.

The project would incorporate advanced noise mitigation technologies and performance standards to address community concerns about sound. These measures may include careful placement of equipment, sound-attenuating building materials, screening, setbacks, operational controls, active noise cancellation technology, and other engineering practices designed to reduce off-site noise impacts.

Project developers have expressed a commitment to working with township leaders and community members to develop thoughtful standards that protect residents while allowing responsible investment to move forward.

The Slate Belt Technology Campus would generate significant benefits for Upper Mount Bethel Township, including new tax revenue, construction and permanent job opportunities, local business activity, and long-term community investments.

These resources could help strengthen local services, build roads, bridges and other infrastructure, support educational and workforce initiatives, assist first responders, and provide tangible benefits to residents across the township.

Project developers are committed to working collaboratively with Upper Mount Bethel Township leadership and community members to set responsible, thoughtful standards for a potential data center project on property they own in the existing industrial park. As the township considers updates to its zoning ordinance, the project sponsors have emphasized the importance of constructive engagement, good-faith dialogue, and a process that addresses local priorities and concerns.

The Slate Belt Technology Campus represents an opportunity to pair major private investment with clear standards, local accountability, and enduring community benefit. With continued collaboration, the project can help position Upper Mount Bethel Township for long-term economic vitality while respecting the community’s expectations for responsible development.

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