Last week, TCCP's Community Engagement Specialist, Jazmin Slaughter, attended the York County Economic Alliance panel, "Fact from Fiction: Assessing AI and Data Center Impacts," as part of their Economic Insights Series. The event brought together regional leaders to discuss how AI, data center development, and infrastructure planning may shape York County’s economic future.

A key takeaway from the conversation was that York has strong infrastructure and environmental capacity to support future data center opportunities, including natural water resources that compare favorably with those in many regions across the country. Panelists emphasized the importance of evaluating resource use in the local context while continuing to support economic growth.

The discussion also reinforced that data centers are just one piece of York’s broader economic landscape. Agriculture, logistics, and technology infrastructure all remain important drivers of the local economy. The focus moving forward is balance — ensuring thoughtful planning, zoning, and long-term strategy so multiple industries can grow together.

Another strong theme was that innovation drives more innovation. As new infrastructure opportunities emerge, they often lead to advancements in sustainability, cooling technology, and energy efficiency — creating new industries and workforce pathways.

Importantly, panelists reinforced that while AI continues to evolve, human insight, judgment, and creativity remain essential. As technology advances, the demand for skilled, adaptable professionals will continue to grow.

Events like this highlight the importance of collaboration across industry, education, and community partners. As Central PA continues to grow, conversations like these help ensure the region remains competitive, innovative, and positioned for long-term opportunity.