Data centers in Somerset County, New Jersey: 1 project mapped

Imagery: Esri, Maxar

Montgomery Township banned data centers outright on June 18, 2026, in the same hearing where E. Kahn Development (EKD), which owns the former Johnson & Johnson campus in Skillman, argued a data center would be the site's best use. The committee adopted Ordinance 26-1779 unanimously that night, banning both data centers and immigration detention centers, citing electricity demand, water use and cooling noise. "Protecting our power supply, our water, our land, and our quality of life is not anti-progress, it is responsible governance," said Mary Reece, who chairs the township's Environmental Committee.

EKD sued on July 31 in Somerset County Superior Court, asking a judge to void the ordinance. Its complaint calls the ban's basis "public hysteria and political attention rather than sound land use planning" and argues the concerns could be handled with rules instead. EKD has not filed a site plan for a data center on the 257-acre campus, which it bought in December 2025 after Kenvue, the J&J spinoff, moved to Summit; an earlier plan for manufacturing and offices was dismissed by the planning board and is being challenged in a separate suit.

Warren Township banned data centers 5-0 the same night, June 18, though officials said no application or plan existed there. "Warren Township's decision to prohibit data centers is about protecting our residents," said Committeeman Daniel Croson, who introduced it. What comes next: EKD's challenge to the Montgomery ban and its earlier suit against the planning board are both pending in Somerset County Superior Court.

Every project above is drawn from public records, filings and local reporting. Each row links to what it is based on. Statuses change, so check the source date before you rely on one. Found something wrong? Write to [email protected] and it gets fixed.