AI data center could be coming to Jacinto City. Residents have questions
A company named Rayden is considering transforming a vacant Budweiser bottling plant in Jacinto City, Texas, into an AI data center. Residents and city officials have expressed concerns about potential impacts, particularly regarding water usage, noise, and electricity. Jacinto City manager Law Squires is negotiating terms, including the possibility of requiring a multi-million dollar bond from Rayden to ensure compliance with water usage promises, while residents remain skeptical.
A growing backlash in Harris County, Texas, surrounds a proposed AI data center project in Jacinto City. Rayden, a company co-owned by Jason Green, is considering converting the former Budweiser bottling plant on Fidelity Road into an AI data center.
Jacinto City Manager Law Squires stated that the project was initially a rumor for months before becoming a potential reality less than three weeks ago. He described the situation as a "David and Goliath battle" for the small city of under 10,000 residents. Concerns from both residents and city officials primarily revolve around water consumption, noise, and electricity demands.
While Rayden's co-owner, Jason Green, traveled from New York City to address the community at a town hall meeting, some residents, including Crystal Sullivan, remain skeptical about the company's assurances. Squires indicated that Rayden promised to use only 200,000 gallons of water one time, reusing it for production, and that the city plans to require a multi-million dollar bond as a significant deterrent against violating these promises. Electronic ultrasonic meters would be used to audit water usage.
Green asserted that not all data centers are built equally and that Rayden's operations are designed to better protect the environment, acknowledging past issues with water usage in the industry but stating it's "not what we do." The town hall was scheduled to run from 6 to 9 PM, with potential production beginning as early as the end of October if plans proceed, though nothing is finalized.