Last Thursday, I attended the Newton Ransom Township meeting in Newton Township, Pennsylvania, just north of Scranton, PA, to photograph the community and their concerns regarding construction of a proposed data center in the community. The meeting had a bigger turnout than expected, with hosting a crowd of 100+ members from the community. But what exactly is this data center and what concerns does it evoke?

Data centers are large facilities that store data from digital services we use every day. Although it may seem innocent and maybe necessary, many voiced worries about environmental impact, changes to the township’s rural character, and the lack of clear information provided about the project.

Ultimately, the township supervisors voted to deny the zoning amendment. While the project could be revisited in the future, the decision reflected how the communities voice was heard and respect in times of important decision making. As a resident of Ransom Township, photographing this meeting was significant to me and truly showed how my community is not just based on proximity, but built off of unity and justice.

Thanks for the read!

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