Hotels, housing and headaches: Abilene prices continue to increase with data center construction
Ongoing construction of the Stargate data center in Abilene has contributed to sharply higher hotel and housing demand, increasing costs for visitors, residents and students. Abilene Christian University is expanding student housing, while additional data center construction in nearby Shackelford County creates uncertainty about future demand.
Construction of the Stargate data center has helped more than double Abilene hotel prices over the past five years, according to Robert Lopez, vice president of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. Data center employees have used hotels as temporary housing, putting pressure on accommodations and making it more difficult for local events and visitors to find affordable rooms.
Housing demand has also risen, with more than 120 students waitlisted for Abilene Christian University's University Park Apartments. The university reopened Traditions Hall and is investing about $46 million in new residence halls and apartments that will add hundreds of beds. Kevin Campbell, the university's senior vice president for operations, said the Abilene market has begun to stabilize, although additional data centers under construction in Shackelford County could extend demand pressures.