Solar Farm Town Hall Meeting Set for Eliasville
As opposition mounts to largescale energy and technology projects in Young County, Commissioners will host a town hall meeting in Eliasville next week to discuss the proposed Tapaderos Solar Farm.
The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Eliasville Volunteer Fire Department, near the proposed project site. County Judge Win Graham said the purpose of the meeting is to give residents a direct opportunity to learn about the project and voice concerns.
Executives from Titus Infrastructure Services — CEO Jeff Ferguson, Project Director Jason McDonald, and Energy Consultant Robert Pena — are expected to attend and explain the scope of the Tapaderos Solar Farm, which would be located just outside Eliasville.
Judge Graham acknowledged that the debate over the Tapaderos Solar Farm and a separate proposed data center near Graham has sparked widespread concern, but he urged residents to consider the county’s options carefully.
“Most people seem focused on whether or not we want these projects,” Judge Graham said. “I, however, am considering whether it is better to collaborate with the developers or oppose them. In my opinion, it is better to collaborate.”
By negotiating with developers, Graham said, the county could secure guarantees to protect local interests, including noise abatement, water use restrictions, lighting controls, and assurances that permanent jobs would go to Young County residents. He added that annexing the proposed data center into the City of Graham could generate revenue to fund much-needed infrastructure improvements.
Judge Graham said he believes both the solar farm and data center are likely to be built regardless of whether Young County offers tax abatements.
“For the solar farm, developers have already started clearing the land,” he said. “With the data center, the property’s advantages are so significant that it’s unlikely the developers will find a comparable or better site in Texas.” He noted that the proposed data center site has two major transmission lines and sits next to a power plant that could be upgraded to supply power directly.
The Eliasville meeting follows weeks of rising opposition across the county, with hundreds of residents signing petitions and attending Commissioners Court sessions to express concerns about the impact of industrial- scale projects on farming, ranching, and rural life.
Judge Graham said the Nov. 5 town hall is meant to ensure transparency and provide residents most affected by the solar farm a convenient venue to engage directly with developers.