Proposed AI Data Center at Former New Jersey Airport Sparks Community Tension
A potential plan to develop a large artificial intelligence-powered data center on the site of a former airport in Sussex County, New Jersey, is already creating strong reactions among local residents—even though no official proposal has been submitted yet. The situation in Andover Township highlights a growing national debate around the expansion of data infrastructure and its impact on local communities.
The discussion centers on a piece of land that once housed Newton Airport, which closed in 2013 and has remained mostly undeveloped since then. Local officials have confirmed that conversations have taken place about possibly building a data center on the property, which spans roughly 97 acres and is located near Route 206. While no formal application has been filed and no developer has finalized a purchase, the idea alone has been enough to trigger concern among residents.
Township officials, including Mayor Thomas Walsh Jr., maintain that there has been no secrecy around the discussions. According to the mayor, the possibility of a data center has been openly mentioned in public meetings since at least August. He believes such a project could bring significant financial benefits to the township, potentially generating between $4.5 million and $5.2 million annually through a payment in lieu of taxes agreement. This would represent a major increase compared to the approximately $29,000 the property currently contributes under farmland tax assessment.
Despite the potential economic boost, many residents are not convinced. Concerns have been growing over recent zoning changes approved by township officials. In September 2025, an ordinance was passed allowing data centers in a redevelopment zone near the proposed site. More recently, in April, officials approved an increase in building height limits to 65 feet, which would allow for structures significantly taller than others in the area.
These decisions have led to public backlash, with residents organizing protests and attending township meetings in large numbers. Some believe the zoning changes were specifically designed to support a data center project without proper public input. A legal notice filed by an attorney representing local residents argues that the ordinances may violate state land use laws and were structured to benefit a specific developer linked to the property.
The company mentioned in the legal filing, Andover HPC Development, is reportedly focused on building high-performance computing data centers. However, township officials have confirmed that no formal development plans have been submitted for review, which means the project is still in a very early stage.
The debate in Andover reflects broader concerns seen in other parts of New Jersey and across the United States. Data centers, especially those supporting artificial intelligence systems, require large amounts of electricity and water to operate. Residents in various communities have raised issues related to environmental impact, increased utility costs, and constant operational noise.
Mayor Walsh has acknowledged these concerns and stated that the township is working on additional regulations to address potential negative effects. These may include requirements for closed-loop cooling systems to reduce water usage, as well as limits on noise and lighting. He emphasized that the goal is to balance economic development with protecting the quality of life for residents.
Still, skepticism remains among community members who feel that decisions are being made without sufficient transparency or public participation. Some residents have warned that if the zoning ordinances are not reversed, legal action could follow. A deadline tied to an upcoming township meeting has been set, after which a lawsuit may be filed in Superior Court.
At this stage, the proposed data center remains uncertain, with no official plans submitted and no confirmed developer agreement in place. However, the situation has already revealed deep divisions within the community and raised important questions about how towns manage large-scale technology projects in the future.
As demand for data infrastructure continues to grow alongside advancements in artificial intelligence, cases like Andover Township are likely to become more common. For now, residents, officials, and stakeholders remain locked in a debate that could shape the future of the area and set a precedent for similar developments across the region.
Sources:
Andover Township official meeting records
State of New Jersey business registration records
