College Station, September 12, 2025
News Summary
The College Station City Council will address a proposed $30 million Priority Power Data Center at a meeting on September 11. The center, located on a 200-acre site, has raised concerns among residents regarding potential impacts on local infrastructure and noise pollution. Despite these worries, proponents cite significant economic benefits, including job creation and increased city revenue. The council meeting is expected to draw considerable public attention as residents voice their opposition and seek reassurance about the project’s effects on their community.
College Station City Council is set to discuss a proposed $30 million Priority Power Data Center during a meeting scheduled for September 11 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place at City Hall, and the agenda item concerning the data center has been prioritized as the first topic of discussion following the consent agenda.
The planned data center, proposed to be constructed on a 200-acre tract located along Midtown Drive near Corporate Parkway, is being offered for sale by Priority Power Management, LLC, at a rate of $150,000 per acre. However, the rapid progression of the land sale has raised concerns among nearby residents, primarily due to the apparent lack of community input on the matter.
A community meeting held before the city council meeting garnered a significant turnout where residents expressed their concerns and posed questions for nearly two hours. Common worries included the potential impact of the data center on local infrastructure, particularly regarding water and electricity resources, as well as noise pollution that could arise from the facility.
In response to these concerns, Priority Power CEO Brandon Schwertner clarified that the intended focus of the project is on artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. This clarification came after initial documents associated with the project seemed to suggest a focus on Bitcoin mining. Schwertner intends to request that references to cryptocurrency be removed from the land agreement to further alleviate concerns.
Proponents of the project highlight its potential for significant economic benefits, including the creation of approximately 4,000 construction jobs and around 45 jobs upon its completion. The anticipated annual revenue from the data center for College Station is estimated to be between $10 million and $22 million through taxes and transfers from the electric fund.
The city has already allocated water reserves for the site, with assurances that the project will adhere to these limits. Additionally, it has been confirmed that the center’s electricity supply will come from external sources to prevent any increase in residents’ utility bills.
To address concerns about noise pollution, the city has proposed constructing a 600-900 foot green belt between the data center and neighboring homes. This plan aims to mitigate the significant noise that residents near other data facilities in Texas have reported, which has considerably disrupted their daily lives.
City Councilman Bob Yancy acknowledged the project’s potential for yielding substantial tax benefits but also highlighted challenges, including the expectation of increased water consumption and the possibility of doubling the city’s power consumption.
The upcoming City Council meeting is anticipated to attract considerable public interest, with many residents planning to voice their opposition to the proposed data center. It remains to be seen how the council will address the community’s concerns during the discussion.
FAQ
What is the Priority Power Data Center?
The Priority Power Data Center is a proposed facility valued at $30 million, intended to focus on artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, located on a 200-acre site in College Station.
When and where is the City Council meeting?
The meeting is scheduled for September 11 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
What are the primary concerns of residents?
Residents are concerned about potential infrastructure impacts, noise pollution, and the project’s rapid progression without adequate community input.
How many jobs will the project create?
The project is expected to generate approximately 4,000 construction jobs and about 45 permanent jobs upon completion.
What is the projected annual revenue for the city?
Annual revenue from the data center is estimated to be between $10 million and $22 million through taxes and electric fund transfers.
Key Features of the Priority Power Data Center
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Value | $30 million |
| Site Size | 200 acres |
| Job Creation | 4,000 construction jobs, 45 permanent jobs |
| Annual Revenue for City | $10 million to $22 million |
| Green Belt Inclusion | 600-900 feet between center and homes |
| Council Meeting Date | September 11, 6 p.m. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Community Opposition Grows Against Data Center Sale in College Station
Texas A&M University Enhances Security Following Hoax Threat
Texas A&M University Launches Renewable Energy Initiative
Texas A&M Fires Professor Over Gender Identity Controversy
College Station Residents Oppose Data Center Due to Misconceptions
College Station Residents Oppose Cryptocurrency Data Center
Texas Stock Exchange Set to Launch
Gas Leak Incident in College Station Causes Evacuations
New Oil Exploration in Alaska’s West Harrison Bay
Community Input Sought for College Station Parks Planning
Additional Resources
- KBTX News
- Wikipedia: College Station, Texas
- Houston Chronicle
- Google Search: Priority Power Data Center
- The Eagle
- Google Scholar: Priority Power Data Center
- KBTX News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Data Centers
- Chron
- Google News: College Station Data Center
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
