Killeen planning commission rejects $30M data center project

Killeen’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-0 to reject a permit application for a proposed $30 million data center project by a company named OnMine. The development was planned for a 2.6-acre site off of South Fort Hood Street. Despite OnMine's claims that the data center would fund local infrastructure improvements, attract technology businesses, and not consume city water, the proposal faced significant scrutiny. Commissioner Cedric Moss specifically questioned the project's overall value, particularly after the low number of anticipated jobs was revealed. The commission's vote serves as a recommendation, meaning the project will still proceed to the Killeen City Council for a final decision. This upcoming vote could be made by a new set of council members following the recent local election. This situation in Killeen mirrors similar developments in Central Texas. The report noted that residents in nearby Temple are also actively pushing to recall city leaders after the Temple City Council approved its third data center project last week, highlighting broader community concerns over data center expansion in the region.