A chemical company has backed off plans to develop a data center campus outside Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Industrial gas and chemical company Air Products first proposed developing a 2.6 million sq ft (241,545 sqm) data center campus in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, in November.

However, as reported by WFMX and the Morning Call, Air Products has now officially confirmed it has dropped those plans, after local officials rejected its application last month.

The 194-acre project, known as the Cetronia Road Data Center and located along Hamilton Boulevard and Cetronia Road, would total three buildings, ranging from 435,600 sq ft to 1.23 million sq ft (40,470-114,270 sqm).

The Upper Macungie Township zoning board rejected Air Products’ proposals in May, confirming its decision in writing in July.

The company had 30 days to appeal the decision, which has now lapsed. Air Products has confirmed it did not and will not attempt to appeal.

“Air Products has a long history in the Lehigh Valley, and we remain committed to maintaining positive relationships in the communities where we operate,” the company told press.

State senator Jarrett Coleman approved of the township board's decision in May, stating: "I don't think data centers fit in the Lehigh Valley."

Founded in Detroit in 1940, Air Products built its headquarters at the Upper Macungie site at 7201 Hamilton Blvd in the mid-1950s on what was previously farmland. The company moved to another location about a mile away on Mill Creek Road in 2021.

The site was previously planned for development into a warehouse complex, with Prologis involved. The companies gained approval for the planned development in 2023, which would have seen the existing buildings demolished.

Air Products has not outlined its future plans for the site now that data centers are off the table.