On July 15, 2025, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) convened the inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, uniting top national leaders in government, energy, artificial intelligence, academia, labor, and global investment. The Summit highlighted Pennsylvania as a powerhouse in the AI–energy nexus, bolstered by keynote remarks from President Donald J. Trump, participation from Governor Josh Shapiro, and representatives from major corporations.

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Throughout the day, stakeholders unveiled more than $90 billion in private-sector commitments toward critical energy infrastructure, data centers, and workforce development, positioning Pennsylvania at the forefront of a nationwide tech renaissance.

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A major announcement was made by Pennsylvania Data Center Partners, in collaboration with PowerHouse Data Centers, the fifth-largest data center developer in the United States. Igal Feibush, Founder and CEO of Pennsylvania Data Center Partners, participated in a private roundtable during the Summit alongside President Trump, Senator McCormick, and other leaders from the real estate, tech, and energy sectors. Together, the two companies announced their first joint venture: Pennsylvania Digital 1 (PAX-1) — a $15 billion AI-focused development comprising three hyperscale data center campuses in Central Pennsylvania. The initiative will deliver 1.35 GW of capacity (expandable to 1.8 GW), supported by three substations, 4.2 million sq ft of data center space, and direct fiber connectivity to Ashburn, VA. Designed to deliver scale and speed for AI infrastructure, the project is expected to deliver its first 300 MW by Q2 2027.

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As PAX takes shape, it will generate thousands of construction and engineering jobs, drive substantial tax revenue to local school districts and municipalities, and enhance Pennsylvania’s role as a strategic hub for AI and advanced infrastructure.