For families with generational ties to land in Damon, Texas, the prospect of a data center operating along the Brazos River raises worries about homes and property.
But the county may have limited power to stop construction.
Here's what to know
This winter, the company CleanSpark said it had reached a deal to purchase as much as 447 acres in Brazoria County. A January press release described the deal as "positioning the Company to develop a large-scale data center project."
Reports of the land deal have prompted Damon residents to start asking questions.
"We got to fight. We got to stop it before it gets here," a resident told ABC13.
"That means a data center which could have gas turbines, and that means 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year, noise, lights, vibration," another resident, Christine Clark, told the outlet.
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Generations of family connections help explain the area's significance to community members, who have described its rich history.
"It concerns the dignity of our ancestors, the preservation of Black family heritage, and our rights to continue caring for our land that has sustained our family for generations," one told ABC13.
In 2021, residents told the outlet about the discrimination and lack of funding facing Black-owned farms in Brazoria County, in southeastern Texas.
What are the hurdles?
The dispute is unfolding against a backdrop of statewide growth. As of February, ABC13 counted 429 data centers across Texas. The figure includes 293 operating facilities, with the remainder planned or under construction.
Residents told the outlet they have felt left in the dark about data center development plans. A recent community meeting gave them a chance to share what they had learned.
Meanwhile, minimal regulations and permit requirements, especially in unincorporated parts of the state, leave county governments with little leverage to block projects like CleanSpark's reported facility.
Where can I learn more?
Other Texas communities are raising similar concerns about data center development and how much say local officials have.
• In Calallen, residents have opposed a data center plan carrying $19.6 billion in leases.
• In Wichita Falls, residents pressed candidates on power and water use at an acrimonious forum.
• Texas' Hood County rejected a data center deal, then unanimously denied the developer's appeal.
• Austin has lacked data center rules as officials move to track big power users.
• Texas' data center water crackdown carries a maximum $500 fine, limiting its enforcement power.
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