NorthPoint Development Offers Cash Grants to Hazle Township Residents

NorthPoint Development offered a $10,000 grant to every household in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, in an effort to secure approval for a data center project. The proposal includes the construction of up to 15 buildings on a 1,300-acre site near the Pocono Mountains. Along with $45 million in direct household payouts, the developer pledged $120 million over 15 years for community investments, including funding for local police.

Many residents have rejected the offer, characterizing the payments as a bribe. Opponents cited concerns regarding noise, pollution, declining property values, and potential AI-driven job losses. The project already faces significant legal and political obstacles; the local government rejected the development in November on zoning grounds and implemented a temporary moratorium on data center construction.

NorthPoint has challenged the moratorium in court. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Shapiro issued an executive order prohibiting nondisclosure agreements between local governments and data center developers to prevent what he described as predatory practices.