Large tract of South Strabane Township land pitched as potential AI data center
Mike Jones
A 1,500-acre plot of land in South Strabane Township owned by CNX Resources is currently being pitched as the potential location of an AI data center.
Chicago-based real estate firm JLL announced this week it would be marketing the land off of Zediker Station Road to be leased. The property is near the flyover ramp connecting interstates 70 and 79.
A press release issued by JLL states there are “400 buildable acres” on the property.
“Pennsylvania is capitalizing on its energy infrastructure advantages to capture an increasing share of data center growth,” said Dan Adamski, executive managing director at JLL in the release. “Washington County’s location between established data center markets in Northern Virginia and Columbus, Ohio, combined with this site’s unique sustainability attributes, positions it as an attractive option for hyperscale development. The combination of available land, power infrastructure, and the innovative approach to sustainable energy creates a compelling value proposition that reinforces Pennsylvania’s competitive position in this sector.”
Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman was also quoted in the release as saying the county “is proud to support this transformative project.”
“The Zediker Station property is primed for development and represents significant economic opportunity for our community – bringing quality jobs, infrastructure investment and innovative energy solutions,” Sherman said.
In a phone call Wednesday, Sherman estimated that such a project could bring 300 to 400 union jobs to the area to build the data center.
“We’re aggressively going after the next big jobs. It looks like that is going to be data centers,” Sherman said.
Sherman suggested that Washington County could become a hub for these data centers. Sherman said one could be built at the Fort Cherry Development District in Robinson Township, and that there is potential for a third.
“As of last week, we met with a large manufacturer of data centers, and they’re looking all over Washington County for land that would be feasible for them,” Sherman said.
Sherman would not divulge the identity of the manufacturer.
Sherman said with the location’s proximity to a natural gas pipeline and wells, a data center at Zediker Station could be “energy independent” and operate off its own “microgrid.”
AI data centers have come under scrutiny for their environmental impact due to the large amounts of energy they require.
“The way they’re doing this is to create the microgrid first, which will power it. So it’s a complete nonissue,” Sherman said.
South Strabane Township Supervisor Jeff Bull said the municipality has not received any word about potential development at the site.
“Nothing has come through the township yet. I think this is all speculation,” Bull said.
In an email Wednesday, Adamski said the potential data center brings “meaningful economic impact to Washington County” such as jobs, infrastructure investment and tax revenue.
“It signals to other tech companies that this region is a viable hub for digital infrastructure, creating a multiplier effect for future growth and opportunity,” Adamski said.