Development

Abilene was sold on promises that data centers would transform their local economy. But some residents are wondering when the benefits will come.

Yesterday, Lubbock County commissioners approved a broad resolution requiring large-scale industrial developers to answer questions from the county about things like water, electricity, noise and light pollution. Under Texas law, counties do not have the authority to approve or deny industrial developments in unincorporated areas. This brought pushback from some commissioners, who argued the resolution is “unenforceable.”

In a city council meeting this week, recent fears of data center development met with generational frustrations over industrial zoning in north and east Lubbock, leading to threats of recalls for city leaders in a meeting where many who spoke out felt ignored.

Politicians on the ballot this November from both sides of the aisle have pressed for greater scrutiny on data centers in Texas. Recent polling shows most Texans oppose them in their communities.

A Hood County judge has sided against two proposed data center projects in a lawsuit. KERA's Emmanuel Rivas reports the developers argued the campuses should be automatically approved because of a missed deadline. Lubbock ISD is hosting its annual registration blitz tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at each of its campuses. Parents can register their students at any LISD campus, no matter which school their child will attend. Registration will require the student's birth certificate and social security card, the guardian's a government-issued photo ID, and proof of residency.

A Hood County judge dismissed a lawsuit over two proposed data center projects, allowing the county to continue reviewing the developments after rejecting developers' legal challenge.

On July 7, the City of Lubbock hosted a public meeting to hear residents’ thoughts and concerns about large-scale data centers. As city officials try to balance the potential benefits with the risks, a majority of the approximately 70 members of the public who spoke at the meeting were against allowing data centers in the city.

Last night, the City of Lubbock hosted a nearly-4-hour meeting to discuss the potential development of large-scale data centers, with comment from about 70 members of the public. Our Samantha Larned reports that while city staff have recommended policies to support further control over developments, some citizens say that concerns over enforcement remain unchanged.

Lubbock city leaders are asking for citizens’ opinions ahead of a public meeting to discuss the subject of large-scale data centers. Over the next week, the City is taking an online survey to gauge public opinion on large-scale data centers before the meeting. You can find a link to fill out the survey here.

The agreement with the Department of Justice and U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, filed in court Tuesday, settles the 2023 lawsuit alleging that owners of the development engaged in deceptive advertising and targeted Hispanic residents with predatory loans and seller-financed mortgages.