Visiting "Stargate," the Data Center in Abilene
State Rep. John McQueeney toured the Stargate data center in Abilene, Texas, detailing its large-scale construction and the involvement of companies like Lancium, Crusoe, Oracle, and OpenAI. The project is generating significant jobs and tax revenue, prompting discussions about future municipal financial management and infrastructure needs due to the economic boom.
State Representative John McQueeney recently toured the "Stargate" data center project in Abilene, Texas, describing it as an "incredible eye-opening experience." The project is a partnership where Lancium handles land acquisition and power infrastructure, Crusoe builds the physical structures, and Oracle manages servers for clients like OpenAI. The complex, comprising eight buildings each effectively five buildings, totals approximately half a million square feet per "fiveplex" and was constructed in two years, featuring a new gigawatt substation and 10 gas-powered turbines for backup generation.
McQueeney emphasized the project's profound economic impact on Abilene. Initially, construction jobs peaked at 9,500 employees, with an estimated 1,700 permanent long-term jobs anticipated for running and maintaining the facility. He recounted how local businesses, such as a landscape company, are benefiting from the extensive new developments, and noted a significant influx of people, leading to a doubling of Abilene Country Club membership prices in six months.
The State Representative highlighted the welcoming stance of the City of Abilene's leadership, who "embraced this boom with open arms." Stargate is projected to contribute 32% of the city's budget and 25% of the county's budget through tax revenue, an estimated $18-19 million annually for the city. McQueeney stressed that such an unprecedented influx of funds will necessitate legislative discussions on allowing municipalities to create "rainy day funds" and addressing school finance policies to protect and invest in these booming communities for generations.