Austin's former 3M campus set for data center following $1B transformation
The former 3M campus in Northwest Austin is undergoing a $1 billion renovation, transforming into a research and development site that will include a 50-megawatt data center, dubbed Project Cosmos. Developer SB Energy is behind the project, which has raised concerns among local residents about its impact on quality of life, particularly regarding water, noise, and electricity usage. The Austin City Council is working towards establishing a regulatory framework for data centers, as current restrictions are not yet in place.
The former 3M campus in Northwest Austin is slated for a $1 billion redevelopment, which will include a 50-megawatt data center as part of "Project Cosmos." Developer SB Energy plans to transform the site into a research and development campus, with a United Kingdom-based artificial intelligence chip company expected to be the first tenant. Operations are anticipated to begin by late spring 2027.
However, the development has sparked worry among community members, including neighbor Linda Bailey, who are concerned about the project's impact on their quality of life. Despite a city council resolution passed last month, Austin currently lacks an official framework for setting water, noise, or electricity restrictions specifically for data centers like the one planned for the Cosmos site.
Councilmember Mark Duchenne stated that it is incumbent upon the City of Austin and Travis County to verify SB Energy's plans and ensure community protection. SB Energy has indicated it will use a closed-loop system for cooling and will fund upgrades to connect to Austin Energy's grid. Area leaders are scheduled to hold a town hall at Four Points Middle School to further discuss the potential impacts of the Cosmos Campus.
This development is part of a broader trend, with a local news report indicating over 600 data center projects are located across the region.