Pennsylvania families sell 1,700 acres for $586 million; AI data center boom helps one couple earn over $22 million for their 89-acre hog farmAI data centers drive land prices higherBlackstone-backed QTS buys 1,700 acresAmazon Web Services already has a major presenceFrom debt to financial freedomThousands of jobs expectedAI investment shifts toward rural AmericaThe AI data center boom is changing the fortunes of families across rural America, and one Pennsylvania couple has become one of its biggest beneficiaries after selling their 89-acre hog farm for more than $22 million.David and Marilee Kiliti, who had spent years raising and butchering hogs on land that had been in their family for around 80 years, never imagined their struggling farm would attract such a massive offer. Records also show Kiliti's Family Farm LLC sold one parcel for $17.77 million, along with several adjoining properties.The region has already emerged as a hotspot for AI infrastructure.In March 2024, Amazon Web Services (AWS) acquired the neighbouring 1,200-acre Cumulus data center campus from Talen Energy for $650 million. The company later signed a long-term electricity supply agreement extending through 2042, with power demand expected to increase to 1,920 megawatts.The area's ready access to reliable electricity has made it one of the most sought-after locations for large-scale AI data centers.Before selling the farm, the Kilitis were struggling financially.The couple had cashed in a life insurance policy and borrowed money to build a new hog barn, a project that was later blocked by neighbours.The land sale has completely changed their situation.They have paid off their debts, purchased a Toyota Sequoia, and are planning to buy a Polaris Slingshot. The family is also planning a summer vacation with 20 relatives at a 10-bedroom home near Breckenridge, Colorado.The windfall has benefited the next generation as well. Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft are expected to spend a combined $725 billion this year on capital expenditures, up roughly 77% from 2025, with AI data centers accounting for the bulk of that investment.