NorthPoint Development announced the $10,000 incentive as part of a $45 million household fund tied to the certification of occupancy for Project Hazelnut, a 1,300‑acre data‑centre campus slated for late‑2027. The developer says each payment would be disbursed once the first building receives its certificate of occupancy, giving residents the choice to use the money for home improvements, landscaping, or solar projects.
The $45 million household fund is only one slice of a $165 million community‑benefit pledge. NorthPoint earmarks $15 million for workforce development, education, arts, recreation and youth initiatives, and an additional $105 million over 15 years that could bring up to $7 million annually to Hazle Township for local services, police, and reduced trash fees.
Yet many residents view the offer as a bribe, arguing that a one‑time payment cannot offset long‑term noise, light pollution, rising energy demand, or potential declines in property values. Several interviewees described the money as a “sweetener” that masks the environmental footprint of a 15‑building campus.
The project faces legal roadblocks. Township supervisors rejected the land‑development application in November 2025, and a Luzerne County judge denied an appeal in June 2026, ordering the developer to seek approval through the township’s zoning hearing board after declaring parts of the ordinance invalid. A 180‑day moratorium was imposed while new regulations are drafted.
Pennsylvania tightened its data‑centre rules amid the dispute. Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026‑05 on August 18, 2026, mandating stricter energy‑efficiency standards and water‑cooling limits for large facilities, a move that could further complicate Project Hazelnut’s compliance efforts.