Here’s how a Lehigh Valley town could get $50 million if it approves updated data center plans

New plans submitted in Upper Mount Bethel detail what developers want in a deal that would give the township $50 million for approving data center plans.

Slate Belt Holdings, a partnership between Talen Energy and River Pointe Logistics, included this map as part of its preliminary land development plan submitted to Upper Mount Bethel Township on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. This is an alternate layout design for the proposed hyperscale data center campus that includes fewer, smaller buildings. (Slate Belt Holdings)

Slate Belt Holdings, a partnership between Talen Energy and River Pointe Logistics, included this map as part of its preliminary land development plans sent to Upper Mount Bethel Township on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. This proposed hyperscale campus layout includes 29 data center buildings and reflects previous plans sent to the township as part of two validity challenges filed against its zoning ordinance. (Slate Belt Holdings)

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Jennifer Gomez, Allentown director of planning and zoning, listens Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, during a planning commission meeting at Allentown City Hall in which the board granted an amended approval for a data center at 2401 W. Emaus Ave. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

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