Another data center could be coming to Wichita Falls

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - During the Feb. 3 City Council meeting, councilors considered rezoning nearly 100 acres of commercial and residential land off Airport Drive to light industrial for a potential data center. The item was ultimately tabled.

Council members voiced concerns that once the land was rezoned to light industrial, developers could pursue uses beyond the proposed data center. Bitcoin mining was mentioned as a possible negative outcome if broader industrial uses were allowed under the zoning.

Since that meeting, the developer has withdrawn from the original agreement. However, city leaders said that it is not necessarily a setback. They shared that the developer is now working on a new proposal that will be more direct and include stronger accountability measures.

“They didn’t want any kind of misunderstanding or anything to be misconstrued that they’re going to backdoor into some other use that’s allowed within our industrial district. Their strict and only proposal is a data center,” Wichita Falls director of development services Fabian Medellin said.

Valerie Rhodes, who lives near the land proposed for the data center, said she is not opposed to the project itself but is concerned about the impact on nearby homes.

“I am concerned about what’s happening to my little bitty neighborhood that’s surrounded by all of this. If the zoning cannot be changed, let’s focus on the solutions to lessen the impact sound barriers, physical barriers, lighting restrictions and performance standards,” Rhodes said.

Another resident said data centers could serve as an economic boost for Wichita Falls, comparing them to a modern-day oil boom.

“Wichita Falls was one of the top 25 cities in Texas, we’re not now. But we’ve got a bunch of power lines, a bunch of gas lines, a bunch of land and enough water that technology’s figured out how we could put some data centers here that would add a billion dollars in every trunk, every decision,” concerned citizen Jack Browne said.

City leaders explained that with a new proposal in development, it could be April before the council hears anything further regarding the possible data center.

Until then, they said they remain optimistic and are looking forward to reviewing the revised proposal.