Atlas data center campus on North Cedar Crest Blvd

The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026

The developer proposed a campus of six data center buildings, about 5.04 million square feet in total, on roughly 410 acres of mostly vacant farmland next to Parkland High School. It would include a new electrical substation and a new township road. Homes lie to the north and a chemical manufacturer to the south.

Local news reports say the plan was later scaled back. The revised version has three data center buildings, one administration building and one warehouse, totaling about 1.56 million square feet. Planned permanent jobs fell from 440 to 250. Reports describe the power capacity as 725 megawatts and the budget as about $9 billion. The land is in a zone where data centers are allowed by right.

Township staff recommended denial of the revised plan. They cited missing information, a warehouse that is not allowed with a data center, and hundreds of diesel backup generators. Residents have pushed back at public meetings. Reviews were postponed several times. No final decision was found.

What it could mean nearby

• Traffic and access: the campus would add a new township road. Its effect on Cedar Crest Boulevard was not confirmed.
• Noise, air and lighting: staff questioned the diesel generators and lighting that faces nearby homes.
• Schools: the site is next to Parkland High School, and township advisory boards held review meetings at the school.
• Jobs and utilities: about 250 permanent jobs are planned in the revised version. Power would need a new utility substation and lines.

Where it stands

The revised plan is under township review for preliminary plan approval. Planning commission and advisory board reviews were scheduled for September 2026, but no outcome was found. Next steps usually are a planning commission recommendation, then a vote by the township supervisors.

• Sep 23, 2026 Planning commission review was scheduled at Parkland High School; no outcome found
• Sep 9, 2026 Park and Recreation, Environmental Advisory and Shade Tree boards held special review meetings
• Jun 11, 2026 Planning commission agenda item on the revised plan
• Jun 9, 2026 News report on the reduced plan and the zoning officer's denial recommendation
• Jan 20, 2026 Latest county filing

Want to weigh in? The South Whitehall Township planning commission and board of supervisors decide next, and residents can comment at their public meetings.

Who's behind it

CDE Acquisitions LLC · The applicant and purchaser of the site, which is owned by Jeras Corporation. One trade report links the project to the data center developer Edged.

Around the web

• The proposed South Whitehall data center has changed. Here's what is on the table nowWFMZ · Jun 9, 2026Describes the scaled-back plan, the zoning officer's denial recommendation and consultant concerns.
• Review of massive data center complex near Parkland High School delayedWFMZReports postponement of the township review.
• 5.1 million square foot Atlas industrial data center could be built across from Parkland High SchoolLehigh Valley NewsEarly coverage of the original large proposal.
• Edged eyes 725MW data center campus in PennsylvaniaDatacenterDynamics · Jul 8, 2026Trade report on the campus's power capacity and a reported developer link.

Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.