Scranton Officials Tour Virginia Data Center Alley for Economic Insights

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce organized an educational tour on December 10, 2025, bringing business and elected officials from Northeast Pennsylvania to "Data Center Alley" in Loudoun County, Virginia. The excursion occurred as developers propose new data center campuses in the North Pocono region, Jessup, and Archbald.

Loudoun County officials demonstrated how approximately 200 data centers generate 35% to 40% of the county's General Fund revenue, totaling $875 million in the 2024 fiscal year. To manage community concerns over noise and aesthetics, Virginia officials recommended implementing strict zoning and maintaining buffers of 500 to 1,000 feet from residential areas.

Pennsylvania officials expressed interest in the potential for increased real estate tax revenue but noted that regional topography and differing tax structures make the Virginia model difficult to replicate exactly. While some officials highlighted the potential for life-changing revenue for small boroughs, others cautioned that the specific sighting of these facilities is critical to mitigating local disruptions.