RELEASE: Developers Submit More Detailed Plans for Slate Belt Technology Campus Project in Upper Mount Bethel Township
Submission Includes Significant Community Protections; Updated $50 Million Community Benefits Agreement Also Provided
Today, Slate Belt Technology Campus project developers submitted more detailed land development plans for the proposed data center campus on the industrial property near the site of the former Portland coal plant. The plans include significant measures to address community concerns and an updated commitment to a $50 million community benefits agreement.
The preliminary land development plans call for a responsible, phased approach to building the proposed campus over time. They show two potential site designs, address concerns expressed by community members, and include protections aimed to preserve the township’s character and quality of life. The updated plans include closed-loop cooling systems that would not draw cooling water from local groundwater or the Delaware River. Public water and sewer service would be used primarily for basic domestic and sanitary needs. The plans also provide for dedicated on-site fire protection water storage, significant screening and landscaping around the facility, lighting controls, and noise mitigation to reduce impacts on neighbors. The project would also pay its own way for its electricity and any related utility upgrades.
“The Slate Belt Technology Campus project would deliver significant revenue, jobs, and community benefits to Upper Mount Bethel Township, and this submission represents the next step in the development process for the proposed campus, providing clearer information about how the site could be developed responsibly,” said Dale Lebsack from Slate Belt Holdings. “We have been engaging with the township in a constructive and open process, and our goal remains to work collaboratively with township leaders and community members to address questions, concerns, and local priorities while advancing a responsible development plan for the site,” Lebsack continued.
Developers also provided the Township’s Board of Supervisors with an updated commitment to a $50 million community benefits agreement. Funds would be controlled by township officials or a township-approved fiduciary. Potential uses include investments in roads, bridges, community facilities, emergency services, agricultural support, workforce development, tax relief, or other efforts that directly benefit Upper Mount Bethel Township residents.
“A $50 million community benefits agreement is a major, direct commitment to Upper Mount Bethel residents, in addition to the tens of millions of dollars in new tax revenue, hundreds of both construction and permanent jobs, and broader economic benefits this project would generate,” added Lebsack. “Our goal is to ensure that as this project moves forward, the township has dedicated resources to support local priorities, strengthen infrastructure and services, and deliver lasting benefits for the community.”
The proposed agreement would begin with an initial $1 million payment upon execution, followed by $3 million upon approval of the project’s preliminary land development plan, and $4 million upon final land development approval, with additional payments made annually and upon reaching defined project milestones. Additional information about the proposed Slate Belt Technology Campus, including site maps, project descriptions, proposed community benefits agreement terms, and details about the land development submission, is available at www.slatebelttechcampus.com.
###