A number of people gathered Saturday in South Annville Township against a massive data center project that could bring millions to Lebanon County.

The project was presented to be built along Route 422. The developers, Inch & Co. are projecting millions in revenue, but neighbors say the cost to their community may be too high.

READ MORE | Developers unveil early plans for $1.7B data center in Lebanon County

"The community is deeply concerned about this data center, and there’s a whole slew of reasons why," Michael Schroeder said during the protest. "It has to do with air pollution, noise pollution, the massive amounts of water and electricity that it’s going to suck out.

Early designs from Inch & Co. show the project would include five buildings resembling warehouses from the outside. They'd stand about 50 feet tall, with additional rooftop equipment.

In a public meeting with the township, developer Joe Eisenhauer argued the community would benefit from the project.

"We don’t expect a tremendous increase or burden upon the local public services as far as police and fire," Eisenhauer said. "Very minimal impact from a community services standpoint, and that includes the [Annville-Cleona] School District."

Early estimates of tax revenue show the county would receive more than $3 million annually, the school district would receive $13 million, and the township would receive approximately $700,000.

Protesters on Saturday saw it differently.

"We don’t care about the taxes, our schools are just fine," organizer Lora Warner said. "If it’s between getting a cut on taxes or our children's health, we’ll choose children's health every time.

Beyond the environmental impact, demonstrators fear the data center would make South Annville Township a less desirable place to live.

"We are plunging headfirst into this revolution of artificial intelligence that we don’t know where it’s going, we don’t have any clue about the implications and complications of this massive buildout that we’re currently undertaking," Schroeder said.

"I think my message to the township board ... is listen to the people of South Annville," Warner said. "South Anneville does not want this."

If the data center is approved, the developers estimated that construction will be completed by 2029.