No confirmed plan for a data center between Buffalo and Rochester

In short: There is no confirmed data center project currently planned or being discussed specifically in the corridor between Buffalo and Rochester, based on available reporting.

What's going on

Some public debate has circulated about a possible data center to be built between Buffalo and Rochester, including claims it could raise electric bills or harm a nearby tribal reservation. But the available reports on regional development do not show a specific, named project in that exact corridor.

A “data center” is a large building filled with computers that store and process data, like a giant warehouse for the internet. These buildings can use a lot of electricity, especially when they are built to support AI systems.

Nearby, there is real data center activity around Buffalo. In Genesee County, about 30 miles east of Buffalo, a local development agency recommended in March 2025 that a proposal from Stream U.S. move forward at the STAMP industrial site. The proposal is for a 900,000-square-foot facility that would need about 250 megawatts of power, which is a very large amount.

New York lawmakers are also weighing broader limits. A bill introduced in February 2026 would pause new data centers for three years while the state studies effects such as energy use. Separately, BlackRock has plans for an $80 million data center in Amherst, near Buffalo, and TeraWulf operates the Lake Mariner facility near Lockport.

What to watch

If a Buffalo to Rochester project does exist, the key next step would be a public paper trail, such as a permit filing, an environmental review, or a formal announcement naming a developer and a site. It is also worth watching the proposed statewide moratorium, since it could affect projects across New York, including Western New York.

Source: NYTimes