Young County Residents Debate Data Center

GRAHAM — Graham resident Ryan Mote opened his family property off FM 61 to neighbors on Saturday, inviting Young County residents to see firsthand the land he says will be directly impacted by a proposed multi-billion-dollar data center project.

Stream Data Centers is reportedly considering the purchase of 1,000 acres adjacent to Mr/ Mote’s pecan and poultry operation, where the company would build between nine and 16 large buildings to house servers that power artificial intelligence programs. If constructed, the complex would share a fenceline with Mr. Mote’s property, which has been in his family for four generations.

Mr. Mote, who moved from Fort Worth to Graham four years ago, said he poured time and money into restoring the property so that he and his wife could enjoy a rural lifestyle – one that is now threatened by the data centers that are fast proliferating across Texas and the United States.

“If you love our way of life, you’re for a small town, a slow pace of life, relationships with people, our history and heritage, and nature and all its beauty … sunsets, stars, grass, trees, sounds, smells, flowers, bees, livestock, deer, quietness, darkness, and so much more,” Mr. Mote wrote on Facebook. “If you don’t love this way of life and want the construction, bright lights, fast pace, more people, traffic and congestion, and your opinions and decisions are based strictly on financial benefit … move to the city.”

Opponents fear vibration, noise, and light pollution from the project will disrupt farming, hunting, and ranching operations while damaging the natural environment. More than 900 people have signed petitions asking the Young County Commissioners Court to reject any tax abatement agreements with Stream.

Mr. Mote pointed out that opposition to the project is growing, and that opponents want a dialogue with County Commissioners and the company about how the project will affect property appraisals, electricity rates and water usage in Young County.

Supporters counter that the data center would bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in new tax revenue. Judge Win Graham said the company has not yet approached the county about an abatement.

However, he noted that the County cannot stop the data centers from being built on private land.

“After speaking with many people this week about potential data center and solar farm projects in the county, I realized that I view these projects differently than most,” he wrote in an Oct. 25 Facebook post. “Most people seem focused on whether or not we want these projects. I, however, am considering whether it is better to collaborate with the developers or oppose them. In other words, I believe these projects are likely to be built in Young County regardless of whether the county grants them a tax abatement.”