How a Pennsylvania couple turns struggling hog farm into $22 million fortune

The rapid expansion of AI data centers across rural America is transforming land values and changing the fortunes of families living near major power infrastructure. One such example is a Pennsylvania couple who sold their 89-acre hog farm for more than $22 million, turning a struggling family business into a life-changing financial windfall.

David and Marilee Kiliti had spent years raising and processing hogs on land that had remained in their family for nearly 80 years. They never expected their farm to attract such a massive offer. According to The Wall Street Journal, when developers first approached them nearly two years ago and suggested the property could be worth over $20 million, they initially thought it was a joke.

Why AI Data Centers Are Driving Land Prices Higher

The farm’s value was not linked to natural resources such as oil, gas, or minerals. Instead, developers were interested in the property because of its access to critical electricity infrastructure needed to support AI data centers.


The farm is located in Salem Township, Pennsylvania, an area with existing transmission lines and substations supplying power from a natural gas facility and the 2,475-megawatt Susquehanna Steam Electric Station nuclear plant.

As artificial intelligence requires massive computing power, demand for locations with reliable electricity has increased, making rural land near power sources highly valuable.

QTS Acquires 1,700 Acres for AI Infrastructure

The Kilitis were among 96 families in Salem Township who sold around 1,700 acres to QTS, a data center company backed by Blackstone. The combined value of these land deals reached $586 million, averaging around $330,000 per acre or approximately $5.5 million per family, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Records show that Kiliti's Family Farm LLC sold one parcel for $17.77 million, along with additional adjoining properties that were later transferred for the planned development.

From Farm Struggles to Financial Freedom

Before the sale, David and Marilee Kiliti were facing financial challenges. They had taken loans and used a life insurance policy to fund the construction of a new hog barn, but the project faced opposition from neighbours.

The land sale completely changed their financial situation. The couple cleared their debts, bought a Toyota Sequoia, and began planning future purchases and family trips. The benefits also extended to the next generation, with one daughter buying a local brewery and another, a doctor, planning to establish a cancer research foundation.

AI Infrastructure Brings Jobs to Rural Communities

The proposed QTS project is expected to create significant employment opportunities. According to company estimates, each of the planned 12 data center buildings could generate around 50 permanent jobs, while construction could create more than 1,500 jobs.

QTS estimates the development could create or support over 6,000 jobs annually during the projected 10-year construction period.

Rural America Emerges as the New AI Data Center Hub

The Salem Township development reflects a wider shift in the US data center industry. While many existing data centers are located in urban areas, a growing number of upcoming projects are moving to rural communities where land is more affordable and power availability is better.

The trend is being fuelled by massive AI investments from major technology companies. Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are increasing spending on infrastructure, with AI data centers becoming a major part of their expansion plans.

[With TOI inputs]