The Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Institute (PEII), an initiative of the PA Chamber Foundation, led a delegation from six western Pennsylvania counties to New Albany, OH, last week to examine how partnerships, infrastructure, and community engagement have helped attract responsible data center investment.

The delegation included public officials, economic development leaders, educators, and private-sector representatives from Allegheny, Butler, Cambria, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Participants met with local business and community leaders and toured a major data center campus to learn about the scale, energy needs, and economic impact of these projects.

The visit was PEII’s seventh bus tour this year, bringing the total to more than 100 public officials who have examined data center development firsthand and explored how Pennsylvania can compete for future projects while balancing community priorities, infrastructure needs, and economic opportunity.

PEII Coalitions and Grassroots Director Manny Jones also met with Mercer County township officials to discuss site readiness, zoning, infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement, and delivered the keynote address at the Cambria County Regional Chamber’s Economic Summit.

From local planning to major infrastructure investments, PEII is helping Pennsylvania leaders understand the opportunities and challenges involved in attracting data center projects. Successful development requires thoughtful planning, transparent community engagement, and strong local partnerships that ensure projects align with local priorities and create lasting benefits.