College Station, September 12, 2025
News Summary
The City Council of College Station is considering a proposal to sell 200 acres of city-owned land to Priority Power for a data center. Set for discussion on September 11, the deal could bring substantial tax revenue but raises concerns over increased electricity usage and noise pollution. Local residents have expressed fears about transparency and the impact of the development on the community, with a proposal for a green belt to mitigate noise. Key discussions include projected job creation and the potential economic benefits versus environmental concerns.
College Station is facing a significant decision as the City Council considers a proposal to sell 200 acres of city-owned land to Texas-based Priority Power for a data center development. Scheduled for discussion on September 11 at 6 p.m. at College Station City Hall, the proposal, if approved, could result in a financial boon for the city, generating revenues between $10 million to $22 million annually through taxes and power fund transfers.
The proposed site is situated on Midtown Drive, adjacent to a Costco store and within the Midtown Business Park, an area that has been under development for a decade. Originally envisioned as a mixed-use community featuring shops, restaurants, and residential spaces, concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact of the data center on the area. The project is estimated to double the city’s electricity usage, prompting residents to voice protests around transparency and communication from city officials.
Local residents have expressed strong hesitance regarding the data center, noting frustrations with the city’s perceived lack of communication. These concerns echo previous community pushbacks against other developments, like the Northgate project. Challenges surrounding the proposal also include worries about increased power and water consumption, as well as potential noise pollution resulting from the data center’s operations.
The city administration has proposed implementing a green belt ranging from 600 to 900 feet to help mitigate noise pollution for nearby households. However, there are still growing transcripts of hesitance from both residents and city developers. Key concerns raised include the comparison of expected employment benefits; while councilman Bob Yancy highlighted that the construction phase could lead to around 4,000 jobs, the actual operational capacity of the data center would result in only 45 permanent employees, far fewer than the thousands initially envisioned for the area.
If the deal moves forward, the data center would become the largest single property taxpayer in the history of College Station. Mayor John Nichols underscored that the negotiations would require careful consideration of electricity transmission and revenue-sharing arrangements in the contract. Additionally, Priority Power CEO Brandon Schwertner aims to clarify that the data center will not be linked to cryptocurrency and instead focus on data and artificial intelligence, actively seeking to remove any cryptocurrency references from the land agreement.
Concerns also persist regarding noise pollution, a notion that has been amplified by experiences with data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations in other areas of Texas. Residents have demanded assurances regarding operational sound levels as they contemplate the long-term implications of the center’s establishment. The city scheduled the agenda posting just days before the vote, igniting further accusations of hastening the approval process, potentially without sufficient community input.
In light of these dynamics, community members are urged to attend the upcoming city council meeting to share their opinions and concerns regarding the data center proposal.
FAQ Section
What is the purpose of the proposed data center?
The data center is intended to provide support for data management and artificial intelligence, with plans to enhance local job creation and tax revenue for the City of College Station.
Where is the proposed site located?
The proposed 200-acre site is situated on Midtown Drive, near Costco, within the Midtown Business Park.
When is the city council meeting to discuss this proposal?
The City Council meeting is scheduled for September 11 at 6 p.m. at College Station City Hall.
What are the concerns raised by local residents?
Residents are concerned about transparency in the decision-making process, potential noise pollution, increased water consumption, and the adequacy of future job creation linked to the development.
Key Features of the Proposal
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Midtown Drive, near Costco |
| Size | 200 acres |
| Projected Revenue | $10 million to $22 million annually |
| Jobs Created During Construction | Approximately 4,000 |
| Permanent Jobs | 45 |
| Impact on Electricity Usage | Could double power consumption for the city |
| Noise Mitigation Plan | Green belt of 600 to 900 feet |
| Council Meeting Date | September 11 at 6 p.m. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Community Opposition Grows Against Data Center Sale in College Station
College Station Residents Oppose Data Center Due to Misconceptions
College Station Residents Oppose Cryptocurrency Data Center
Debate Over Proposed Data Center in College Station
College Station City Council to Evaluate Major Real Estate Deal
Concerns Rise Over Proposed Data Center in College Station
Developments for Data Centers in Texas
Adom Industries to Invest $229.2 Million in Fort Worth
College Station City Council Discusses New Multi-Event Center
Grapevine Named 20th Best Meeting Destination in North America
Additional Resources
- KBTX News: CEO on Proposed Data Center Focus
- Wikipedia: College Station, Texas
- Houston Chronicle: Massive Data Center Announcement
- Google Search: College Station Data Center
- KBTX News: Resident Opposition to Data Center
- Google Scholar: Data Center Development Impacts
- KXXV News: $30M Land Deal for Data Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Data Center Development
- KBTX News: Data Center Deal and Midtown Vision
- Google News: College Station Data Center Proposal
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.
