You’ve likely heard the rumblings: a wave of investment is transforming Central Pennsylvania’s economic landscape. But this isn’t just a ripple; it’s a $26 billion capital investment tsunami that is fundamentally redrawing the digital map of the East Coast. Global titans of technology and finance are making historic commitments to our region, positioning Central PA as a primary hub for the artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing infrastructure that will power the next generation of innovation.

This is not a speculative trend. It’s defined by massive, concrete projects from industry leaders:

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is making the largest single private sector investment in Pennsylvania’s history, committing at least $20 billion for multiple AI and cloud campuses.
The PAX Campus in Cumberland County, a $15 billion joint venture, is set to become a 1.35 GW hyperscale AI hub.
Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, has pledged $25 billion toward the state’s digital and energy infrastructure.
CoreWeave, a specialized AI cloud provider, is investing $6 billion in a new Lancaster area data center.

This isn’t just about building warehouses for servers. This is the dawn of a new, purpose-built digital corridor. Let’s explore the unique advantages fueling this boom and what it means for our communities, jobs, and future.

The Keystone Advantage: A Perfect Storm of Opportunity

Central Pennsylvania’s rapid ascent is the result of a powerful convergence of distinct geographic, infrastructural, and economic advantages that established tech hubs can no longer match.

Strategic Geography: The Sweet Spot of the East Coast

For mission-critical infrastructure, location is everything. Central PA offers a rare combination of proximity, affordability, and safety. The region provides low-latency connections to the dense markets of New York and Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” but without their prohibitive costs and risks.

The most significant differentiator is the availability of affordable land. While developers in Virginia face intense competition and land prices exceeding $3.75 million per acre, similar large parcels in Central PA are a fraction of that cost. This fundamentally changes the economics of a large-scale build. Furthermore, our inland location provides a vital layer of protection from coastal threats like hurricanes, earning counties like Cumberland, Lancaster, and York a “Very Low” or “Relatively Low” overall risk profile from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Powering the AI Revolution: An Energy-First Model

Modern data centers, especially those for AI, are among the most energy-intensive facilities on earth. The projected growth in Pennsylvania is expected to double the grid’s existing energy demand in just the next five to six years. Our region’s ability to meet this challenge is its most compelling advantage.

We are part of the PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest and most reliable power grid. Crucially, Pennsylvania is a net exporter of electricity, meaning we generate more than we consume. At the heart of this is the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, a 2.5 GW nuclear power plant. In a landmark deal, AWS is co-locating a campus with the plant, securing a massive, stable, and carbon-free power source. This “energy-first” model—building where the power is abundant—is a defining characteristic of the AI infrastructure era. On top of availability, our industrial electricity rate of 9.30 cents per kWh is highly competitive, sitting just below the national average and nearly on par with Virginia’s.

The Economic Transformation: Jobs, Taxes, and Local Growth

This multi-billion-dollar influx is already translating into transformative economic benefits for our communities, creating a powerful new engine for employment and public services.

A Surge in High-Value Employment

The economic impact begins with a massive demand for labor. Blackstone’s investment alone is projected to create or support over 6,000 jobs annually throughout its 10-year construction timeline. This provides a sustained opportunity for our region’s skilled building trades and union labor.

Beyond the construction boom, these facilities create permanent, high-paying technology jobs. Amazon’s initial investment is set to create at least 1,250 direct, full-time tech positions. These are stable, high-value careers that anchor a modern tech ecosystem, including roles like:

Network Engineers
Cybersecurity Analysts
Data Center Technicians
Engineering Operations Managers
Security Specialists

Fueling Our Communities: A Powerful New Tax Base

One of the most significant long-term benefits is the creation of a powerful new source of tax revenue with a relatively low impact on municipal services. The $15 billion PAX campus in Cumberland County serves as a prime example, projected to generate over $65 million in direct tax revenue for the local community, specifically allocated to:

$45+ million for the Cumberland Valley School District
$10+ million for Middlesex Township
$10+ million for Cumberland County

This direct infusion of funds improves schools and public safety without placing an additional tax burden on residents.

Building the Talent Pipeline for Tomorrow’s Tech

Long-term success depends on a skilled workforce. A collaborative ecosystem of industry, government, and educational institutions is proactively working to build that talent pipeline. Amazon has pledged $10 million for workforce development initiatives, funding training programs at community colleges, vocational-technical schools, and union halls. These efforts, along with robust state-level programs like WEDnetPA, create clear pathways for residents to gain the skills needed for these new careers, ensuring the economic benefits of this boom are realized by the local community.

The digital horizon is no longer a distant concept for Central Pennsylvania. It’s being built here and now, creating immense opportunities for professionals and companies ready to power our digital world.

Sources:

Blackstone. (2025, July 15). Blackstone to Invest More Than $25 Billion in Pennsylvania’s Digital and Energy Infrastructure.
CBRE. (2025). U.S. Real Estate Market Outlook 2025: Data Centers.
FEMA. (n.d.). National Risk Index. FEMA.gov.
GlobeNewswire. (2025, July 15). Pennsylvania Data Center Partners and PowerHouse Data Centers Launch Joint Venture to Build Next-Gen 1.35 GW Hyperscale Data Center Campus in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
GovTech. (2025, June 10). Pa. Gov. Announces $20B Amazon Data Center Investment.
IBEW Local 143. (2025, July 25). $26 billion in datacenter projects announced in Central Pennsylvania.
LandSearch. (n.d.). Susquehanna County, PA Commercial Land for Sale.
PA Department of Community & Economic Development. (n.d.). Governor Josh Shapiro Announces Amazon Plans to Invest $20 Billion in Pennsylvania for AI Infrastructure.
Reed Smith. (2025, August). The data center surge in Pennsylvania: Legislative initiatives.
Virginia Business. (2025, June 9). Amazon to spend $20B on data centers in Pennsylvania.
WVIA. (2025, August 12). Answers still needed after hearing in Lackawanna County for data center development in PA.

Garrett Saxon

Garrett Saxon, IT and Digital Brand Manager at Abel Personnel, combines technical prowess with creative strategy. Known for remote troubleshooting and digital content expertise, he crafts compelling web content while managing IT operations

Inside Central PA’s $26 Billion Data Center Investment: A New Digital Corridor Is Here