NorthPoint Development, a Missouri-based real estate developer, is offering a substantial financial incentive package totaling $165 million to Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, in an attempt to gain approval for its proposed 15-building data center campus, dubbed "Project Hazelnut." The centerpiece of this offer is a $10,000 direct payment to each of the township's approximately 4,500 eligible households, funded by a $45 million resident grant fund. These payments would be disbursed upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the first data center building, potentially by late 2027.
Beyond the direct household grants, the $165 million commitment includes a $105 million long-term investment fund, providing $7 million annually for 15 years, intended to support "transformational community priorities." This fund could be used to establish a new township police department, reduce garbage collection fees, and bolster other municipal services. Additionally, $15 million is allocated for a community support fund to aid workforce development, educational training, arts and recreation, and youth programs at local institutions like the YMCA.
This offer comes after Hazle Township supervisors initially supported the project in 2024 but rejected its land-development application in November 2024 due to significant resident opposition concerning potential impacts on traffic, noise, light pollution, property values, and quality of life. A county judge upheld the supervisors' decision, requiring NorthPoint to seek zoning approval or a special exception. Some residents have labeled NorthPoint's $10,000 per household offer as a "bribe," while NorthPoint frames it as a community benefits commitment and a direct investment into the municipality. The project, which was fast-tracked by Governor Josh Shapiro's administration in late 2024, promises 900 tech jobs and aims to alleviate resident concerns through these financial incentives.
