Does not compute: 4 Austin-area community leaders consider the future of data centers

Austin-area community leaders are grappling with the future of data center development in Central Texas, revealing a lack of consensus on how to manage their arrival. At the inaugural KUT Festival, Denise Davis, board chair for the Austin Chamber of Commerce, noted the chamber is still defining its stance, weighing the need for reliable grid infrastructure against the demands of a growing tech sector. Bradley Dushkin, Round Rock's director of planning and development services, highlighted the substantial property tax contributions from data centers, citing commercial properties generating nearly half of Round Rock's property tax revenue despite being only 8% of taxable properties. However, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra raised alarms about the severe water usage of data centers, particularly given the county's extreme drought conditions, stating there's "no good option" for such projects. Carrie D’Anna, a community organizer from Taylor, emphasized community fears about data centers' impact on their neighborhoods and highlighted how activists in Hays and Williamson counties have successfully halted some projects due to water and electricity concerns, advocating for clearer guidelines.