Salem Twp., Luzerne County, PA -
Developer acquires 1,700 acres for large-scale AI-focused campus in NEPA.
A major data center investment is advancing in Salem Township, as QTS Data Centers has acquired approximately 1,700 acres in Luzerne County for a planned large-scale, sustainable data center campus.
The company purchased 96 parcels from multiple landowners in a deal exceeding $500 million—one of the largest land acquisitions for data center development in the United States. The site is located adjacent to property owned by Amazon Web Services and near the Talen Energy nuclear power plant, positioning the project at the center of a growing digital infrastructure corridor in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Plans for the campus include the development of approximately 12 to 17 data centers designed to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.
QTS brings more than 20 years of experience in designing, building, and operating data centers across the U.S. and Europe. The company currently operates 20 facilities nationwide, with an additional 14 under development, as well as international locations in the Netherlands.
A key differentiator of the Salem Township project is its focus on sustainability. QTS utilizes a closed-loop, water-free cooling system that does not consume water during operations—addressing one of the most common concerns associated with data center development.
According to the company, this technology can save billions of gallons of water annually compared to traditional cooling methods. In 2024 alone, QTS reported saving nearly 1.5 billion gallons of water through its cooling systems. Once operational, the facility is expected to use municipal water only for standard building needs, similar to a typical commercial property.
The project site is located within an approved overlay zone in Salem Township, where data center development is permitted by-right, helping streamline the approval process as planning moves forward.
QTS also emphasized its commitment to the communities in which it operates, highlighting job creation, partnerships with local suppliers, and long-term economic growth as key priorities.
Planning for the project remains in the early stages, and specific development timelines have not yet been finalized. Additional details are expected as the project progresses through the local planning and approval process.
As demand for AI and digital infrastructure continues to accelerate, the QTS project represents a significant opportunity for Northeastern Pennsylvania, further strengthening the region’s position as an emerging hub for next-generation technology investment.
