Rowan Data Center continues with community partnerships as neighbors push for transparency

The Rowan Data Center in Temple, Texas, is moving forward with construction, prompting mixed reactions from the community. While Rowan is actively investing in local organizations, including the neighboring Robinson Family Farm, some residents are pushing for increased transparency regarding the project's impact. Neighbor Joe Royer voiced concerns, stating that Rowan is making "fantastic claims" about low water usage and resource consumption without providing supporting data. He questioned why the company is withholding information if there is "nothing to hide." Co-owner of The Robinson Family Farm, Helen Robinson, initially shared similar skepticism but stated that her questions about water and electrical impacts were addressed through dialogue with Rowan representatives. Nathaniel Brown, representing Rowan, emphasized the company's commitment to transparency and being a good neighbor, explaining that the facility will support essential data storage for Texans and global users. The construction is expected to be completed within 12-18 months, with Rowan also proposing a third data center in the area. The company plans to use a closed-loop system requiring a one-time intake of 1-2 million gallons of water, though an exact timeline for this is not yet available.