A proposed data center in Castro County is generating plenty of questions—and a lot of opposition—from residents who say they aren't convinced the project is the right fit for their rural community.
The proposed site is near Arney, at the intersection of Highway 168 and FM 1075. While the project is still in the land acquisition phase, many people say they're worried about what it could mean for the county's future.
For many landowners, the biggest issue is agriculture.
Some say they've been approached with offers to sell their property for the project or for the solar farms that would help power it. But instead of seeing an opportunity, they see productive farmland disappearing. They worry that once that land is converted to industrial use, it won't be coming back.
Residents also question whether replacing farmland with solar arrays and a massive data center makes sense in an area where farming and ranching have been the backbone of the local economy for generations.
The concerns don't stop with the land.
County Commissioner Mason Kleman said residents, especially those in the Nazareth area, have reached out with questions about water use, air quality, noise, lighting and just how much land the project could ultimately require. Those are issues many say deserve answers before the project moves any further.
Others worry about the changes that could come with a major industrial development.
Some residents point to ongoing construction projects in the area that have already increased traffic and raised safety concerns. They fear a data center would permanently change the quiet, rural character of the community while putting additional strain on local infrastructure.
There's also concern about what the project could mean for future generations. Opponents say they're thinking beyond today's economic promises and focusing instead on protecting the land and preserving the agricultural heritage that has defined Castro County for decades.
For now, those opposed to the project say they aren't trying to stop the conversation—they're trying to get more information. They want clearer answers from Intersect Power and the companies handling land acquisitions about the project's long-term impacts on water, infrastructure and the surrounding community.
