Hello! My name is Leigh Ann and I’m a local community organizer and activist located in Delaware Water Gap. Have you heard there is a data center being proposed at Smithfield Gateway (old Mosier’s dairy farm) on Rt. 209 right off Rt. 80 at exit 309 (Marshalls Creek)?!

News splashed across the front page of the Pocono Record back in March and some of us have been sounding the alarm ever since. This data center simply cannot happen and especially not at Smithfield Gateway. The proposed site is extremely close to Shawnee Ridge, a 55+ retirement community, many other residences, a St. Luke’s medical building and numerous businesses and medical buildings along Routes 209 & 447. It would wreak havoc on our natural environment, bringing with it air, water, noise, and light pollution. Utility bills will go up, property values will go down. Data centers operate 24/7 with loud generators to keep the computers cool. Despite what developers may say, big tech acknowledges the low number of jobs data centers provide once construction is complete.

Our area is known for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, full of natural beauty, endless hiking trails, mountains, creeks, waterfalls, fresh, cool air and the beautiful Delaware River. People travel from all over the country and the world to hike the Appalachian Trail, take a float down the river, and fish in the Brodhead Creek, the birthplace of American fly fishing. People do not visit the Poconos to see heavy industrial infrastructure plopped in the middle of their drive to recreate. Locals and tourists alike would be adversely affected by this data center in so many ways.

Unfortunately, those closest to the site are the ones who must take up the fight for the rest of us. Those within a mile or so of Smithfield Gateway will need to apply for party status. A few of us have been helping them get organized and retain an attorney to represent them at the upcoming conditional use hearing, set to begin August 13. While we are all close to the site, we are not close enough for party status. We are determined to do whatever we can to help and we strongly encourage you to do the same…hence this GoFundMe campaign!

So what can you do? You can donate! You can share this campaign! You can show up to the meetings! All monies raised will go directly to the fight, to pay legal fees, to secure testimony from expert witnesses and to continue to alert locals about the upcoming meetings.

IMPORTANT DATES

August 13 • 7 PM • JT Lambert Middle School

The developer, Jim DePetris, presents his proposal to the Smithfield Township Planning Commission. Show up in person if possible! Zoom is also available. Let’s pack the room! Bring signs. Tell Smithfield Township the people do not want this data center.

September 9 • 6 PM • JT Lambert Middle School

The developer, Jim DePetris, presents his proposal to the Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors. Show up in person if possible! Zoom is also available. Let’s pack the room! Bring signs. Tell Smithfield Township the people do not want this data center.

See you there!

In Solidarity,

Leigh Ann & Concerned Residents

Night photo of Mosier’s farm by James Rabbitt