Amazon Web Services is moving ahead with plans for a sprawling, multi‑hundred‑acre data‑center campus off Lofty Road in Kline Township, promising hundreds of full‑time jobs while neighbors zero in on water, power and noise.
Land purchase and scale
Industry reporting and county records indicate that Amazon Data Services bought the property near Route 309 and Interstate 81 in 2025 for about $178.6 million. As reported by DatacenterDymanics and Times News, the site has been variously described as roughly 346 to 350 acres and had previously been in the running for a massive warehouse development.
Public interest and meetings
Public interest has been intense enough that earlier meetings on the proposal had to be moved to the McAdoo/Kelayres school gym after an overflow crowd packed the original venue, a clear sign that local residents are watching every step. That relocation and the strong community turnout were reported by WILK News.
What AWS told officials
In an update to county officials, AWS said it plans to present formal major‑modification land‑development plans at public sessions on June 30 and July 1 at McAdoo Elementary School, according to the Hazleton Standard‑Speaker. Company representatives said the campus would be kept to two stories, with buildings staying under 80 feet in height to limit impervious surfaces and cut stormwater runoff.
AWS estimated the project would produce between 400 and 500 full‑time jobs, with average salaries in the $80,000 to $100,000 range. Company officials added that about 90% of data‑center infrastructure positions could be filled by workers with an associate degree or certificate, and said AWS is working with Luzerne County Community College and local vocational programs to build a training pipeline.
On cooling and water, AWS described a design that relies on outside ambient air roughly 96% of the year, turning to water only when needed. The company said a preliminary water agreement calls for up to 15,000 gallons per day for everyday use and up to 100,000 gallons per day for peak cooling periods.
Numbers and oversight
Industry coverage provides a different angle on long‑term staffing. DatacenterDymanics and other technical trackers have pointed to estimates of roughly 25 to 30 full‑time roles per building, a figure that would suggest a smaller on‑site workforce than AWS’s overall job projection if build‑out happens as described.
At the state level, utilities and regulators are already eyeing the ripple effects. PPL Electric Utilities has flagged transmission upgrades in the region, and river basin commissions have said they are still analyzing how large cooling demands from data centers would intersect with public water supplies, according to Times News.
Local reaction and next steps
Public comment at the recent meeting was sharp. Local critic Jeff Dunkel labeled the update a “very poor presentation,” the Hazleton Standard‑Speaker reported.
AWS and township officials say the planning commission is set to review the major‑modification filing at the June 30 and July 1 sessions. Even if the commission signs off, the campus would still have to clear permitting, secure utility agreements and pass environmental reviews before construction can move ahead.
For now, residents and county leaders are focused on what comes out at those public sessions and in any fresh technical filings AWS submits to township planners. Final commitments on water use and electricity will likely decide how, and whether, the campus can be built without major upgrades to local infrastructure.
