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Springdale council approved a controversial data center development on December 16, voting 5-2 despite opposition from residents. The project by New York-based Allegheny DC involves a 565,000-square-foot building on a former power station site, which was purchased for $14.3 million.

The center is projected to create 500 to 1,000 construction jobs and 80 to 100 permanent jobs. Local concerns include the facility's high energy consumption, noise, and potential pollution. The center would require enough power for 150,000 homes, surpassing local capacity.

Pennsylvania law mandates approval if zoning compliance is shown, limiting council discretion. Stakeholders are optimistic about the economic potential of AI-related industries in the region, but many municipalities lack updated zoning regulations to handle the influx of data centers. Local officials are urged to prepare proactive regulations to protect community interests.