The City Council will vote Oct. 8 on a new annexation and development agreement with Big Watt Digital and PowerHouse Data Centers, formerly known as Project Mustang.
Part of a wave of high-tech firms locating to eastern Williamson County, the companies are co-creating a 500-megawatt data center with on-site power generation now called Taylor Technology Campus.
Developers say the deal could have a $4.8 billion economic impact across the region and create almost 20,000 jobs during the three-year construction phase.
“I believe the terms before council represent the best path forward for Taylor and the surrounding area, and the regulations that Big Watt and PowerHouse have agreed to for the project will work to ensure that the community's concerns about noise, water use and setbacks are being addressed and enforced by the city and council," said Mayor Jim Buzan.
A spokesperson for the developers, said a study conducted by independent consultants RCLCO determined the project would not only generate economic benefits in the area but provide “transformative” tax revenue.
Taylor Technology Campus is projected to generate $1.38 billion in gross tax revenue for Taylor over 20 years, according to estimates.
According to the analysis, the project will provide over $28 million in community benefit funding, including $13 million to the city for quality-of-life improvements, $1 million supporting animal welfare and $12.7 million to Taylor Independent School District programs.
“The development of Taylor Technology Campus has the potential to drive incredible local investments that can improve Taylor and Williamson County for decades to come,” said Keith Meyer, president of Big Watt. “We are sharing RCLCO’s independent analysis to showcase the magnitude of local enhancement possible for the community.”
Community concerns
When it was announced in August, community members and residents near the 665-acre site on FM 112 just outside the city limits posted strong opposition to having a gas-fueled power generation plant and a data center as neighbors in their farming community.
At an Aug. 18 Planning and Zoning Commission hearing, commissioners voted to table a recommendation of the project for 90 days in order to give developers time to answer questions and concerns brought up by those who came to speak during the public hearing.
The developers then rescinded their applications for annexation and zoning, but indicated they would build the complex with or without city partnership since the site is in the county.
City leaders said they would continue to work with the developers to find a path forward, noting that without annexation the city does not collect tax revenue from the multibillion-dollar investment.
The new agreements and the scheduled Oct. 8 council vote circumvent the P&Z Commission’s hiatus.
Requirements negotiated
The newly negotiated contract answers some of the community concerns.
Data center and power generation buildings along the FM 112 side will be set back 700 feet from the property line and have additional screening. A closed-loop system will be used to control water usage. The city will supply wastewater services and the developer will help fund upgrades to the city’s wastewater system.
Noise levels will not exceed 65 dB(A) — or A-weighted decibels, a degree of loudness perceived by humans — at the property line.
Still, some have expressed concerns on social media the Planning and Zoning Commission was being left out of issues that they should have been weighing in on. The conditions set forth in the agreements are not in line with some of the restrictions community members had been asking for regarding data center zoning.
Community organization Halt Taylor Data Centers submitted a petition in June calling on the council to enact tougher regulations for data centers and to temporarily ban all permitting for the businesses until the new regulations were enacted.
That petition is currently the subject of legal action filed by the coalition to force the city to put the ban on the Nov. 3 ballot for voters.
The Oct. 8 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 400 Porter St.
For more information about Taylor Technology Campus, visit Taylortx.gov/ttc or taylortechnologycampus.com.
