A data center proposed at a quiet corner of East Texas leaves a community bracing for a boom
Residents in Angelina County, East Texas, are expressing significant concerns about the proposed construction of two data centers, including one on land near Kaesha Avishai's property. They worry about the impact on their way of life, property, and the local environment, and are calling on Angelina County Commissioners to establish clear guidelines for developers.
Kaesha Avishai, a resident of Angelina County, Texas, is among several East Texans voicing strong opposition to proposed data center developments in their rural community. Avishai, who settled in the area for its peace and quiet, reported disruptions to her property, including men on four-wheelers, pesticide spraying, and silenced power lines, before learning that land near her home was sold to AmpZ Champion Data Center Holdings and its partner, EPG Champion Development LLC.
The arrival of data centers in rural Texas, often fueled by the demand for artificial intelligence, has become a contentious issue, attracting scrutiny from both residents and lawmakers. Two data centers are specifically planned for Angelina County, a region attractive to developers due to its available water and land resources.
Avishai, a retired nurse, used ChatGPT to craft a speech, which she delivered to the Angelina County Commissioners in early June, joined by dozens of concerned neighbors. Residents are demanding that if the county enters into agreements with developers, written guidelines must be put in place to ensure these facilities do not negatively impact their communities and disrupt their way of life.