Pennsylvania Farmer Mervin Raudabaugh Rejects $15 Million Offer for Data Center to Preserve Farmland
DATA AND AI INFRASTRUCTURE
Mervin Raudabaugh, an 86-year-old farmer in Pennsylvania, declined a $15 million offer to convert his land into a data center. Instead, he sold development rights for 105 acres to a farmland preservation organization for $1.9 million, ensuring the land remains agricultural permanently. This decision reflects a broader struggle in Cumberland County between rapid economic growth from digital infrastructure and the preservation of fertile agricultural land.
Feb 26, 2026, 6:00 AM