The Kline Township Planning Commission will hold public hearings Tuesday and Wednesday evening to consider preliminary and final plan approvals for a proposed nine-building Amazon data center campus.
The project, formally submitted by Amazon Data Services, Inc. as the “Project Brewster Data Center Campus,” is slated for property along Lofty Road. Amazon Data Services Inc. purchased the property in May 2025 for more than $178.6 million.
While public participation is permitted during the hearings, the township has noted that compliance with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act will be followed, and comments will be strictly limited to Kline Township residents and property owners.
Meeting Details
- Dates: Tuesday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 1
- Time: 5-8 p.m. each night
- Location: All Purpose Area of the McAdoo Kelayres Elementary/Middle School (15 Kelayres Road, McAdoo)
The hearings follow a June 17 presentation to Schuylkill County Commissioners, where Amazon Web Services (AWS) representatives outlined initial details regarding the site’s footprint, water and power usage, and potential economic impact.
According to AWS economic development executive Becky Ford and attorney Jeff Wilhelm, who made the presentation to Commissioners, the campus would feature nine two-story buildings on the industrially zoned site, totaling approximately 2.2 million square feet. If approved, the first building is projected for completion by 2028.
During the June presentation, AWS representatives addressed several operational factors that are likely to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Regarding power and infrastructure, AWS said the company will pay for all equipment necessary to serve the facility, including substations and transmission lines. Ford noted at the June meeting that a representative from PPL is expected to attend the Kline Township hearings to address questions regarding local electricity rates.
On the issue of water usage, the data centers will rely on “ambient air” to cool servers for 96% of the year, according to AWS. The company has secured a Will Serve notice permitting up to 100,000 gallons of “non-contact” water daily for cooling, alongside 15,000 gallons for domestic use. AWS said the non-contact water would be treated with chlorine to prevent damage to pipes at the data center buildings.
Addressing concerns about noise, Wilhelm previously noted the site’s existing industrial zoning carries a noise ordinance limit of 60 to 70 decibels. Ford said the campus would be modeled and oriented to operate within or below community ordinance requirements.
Finally, regarding employment, AWS projects the campus would create up to 500 permanent jobs, excluding construction jobs, with average salaries between $80,000 and $100,000. Ford said that 90% of the positions would require an associate degree or certificate rather than a four-year degree.
Residents who wish to review the Project Brewster plan documents prior to the meetings can inspect them at the Kline Township Municipal Office, located at 30 Fifth S. in Kelayres. The documents are available during normal business hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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