A proposed land swap in Limerick Township is raising concerns that it could pave the way for a second hyperscale data center — a massive facility designed to handle huge amounts of data and consume huge amounts of power. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is scheduled to vote on Saturday, Jan. 24, on an exchange that would trade 614 acres of mostly wetlands in Berks and Delaware counties for 55 acres of state game lands adjacent to the former Publicker distillery site, a property zoned for heavy industrial use. State Sen. Katie Muth (D-44) and local residents worry that the more buildable site could attract data center development, echoing recent opposition to another 1.4-million-square-foot facility proposed nearby. Limerick Township Manager Dan Kerr confirmed no formal application has been submitted yet, but the property qualifies for the township’s data center overlay district. The swap also includes a right-of-way for road access and consolidates game lands elsewhere. The outcome could influence industrial development and public land protection in the community. Limerick Township was slated to decide whether to send a formal letter in opposition to the swap on Jan. 20. Muth is urging residents to speak out to the Game Commission against the exchange. “I know 8:30 a.m. on a Saturday in Harrisburg is a big ask, but this moment matters. If we don’t show up, these decisions get made without us. You can also make your voice heard ahead of time by contacting the Game Commissioners directly at Pgcboard@pa.gov,” she wrote. “Public land should stay public.”
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 1/19/2026