December 1, 2025
A proposed $10 billion data center campus near Waco, Texas, has ignited a debate over the future of the region, highlighting the intense competition for large-scale digital infrastructure projects across the U.S. and the local tensions they can create. The project underscores the continued expansion of the data center industry into new markets, driven by demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing capacity.
Investment firm Infrakey has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lacy Lakeview City Council to develop a massive data center complex on a 520-acre site just north of downtown Waco. The company, which was formed in March of this year, moved rapidly to secure the agreement for what would be the largest industrial development in McLennan County's history. Plans for the site include extensive computing facilities, electrical substations, and a dedicated 1.2-gigawatt natural gas power plant capable of supplying electricity to approximately 300,000 homes.
The scale of the investment has drawn both strong support and significant local opposition. Lacy Lakeview Mayor Charles Wilson is a prominent advocate, arguing the project would be transformative for the town's finances. "We’re obviously keen on seeing it get done," Wilson said, noting that the development would dramatically alter the municipality's tax base, which currently stands at $649 million.
However, the prospect of such a large industrial installation has unsettled some residents in the rural area. One landowner whose pasture borders the proposed site expressed a sentiment shared by several neighbors, telling The Texas Tribune, “I think I can speak for a lot of us that it’s one of those things, where, if this does go through, I think we’ll be selling out and moving out farther. I haven’t met anybody that’s real excited about it. I’ll put it that way.”
The proposal reflects a broader industry trend of seeking sites with available land and power capacity, often in regions previously untapped by major data center operators. Its advancement or rejection will be closely watched as a case study in balancing substantial economic development with local community and environmental concerns.
Source: okenergytoday
Investment Firm Proposes $10 Billion Data Center Complex in Central Texas
