There’s a very real chance that a data center might be built in Killeen

Herald government reporter Kevin Limiti highlights the growing possibility of a data center being built in Killeen, Texas, despite current rumors remaining unsubstantiated. Limiti notes that the city was recently approached about a potential data center project, signaling a shift from hypothetical to more concrete discussions. The prospect of a data center has become highly controversial among Killeen residents, as evidenced by a recent article on the topic becoming one of the KDH News website's most-read pieces. Limiti's column, "Inside City Hall," frames the discussion around whether the economic benefits, such as increased property taxes and corporate grants, outweigh potential sacrifices to residents' quality of life. He points to examples like Meta's $30,000 grant to a Temple clinic and Rowan Digital Infrastructure's laptop donations, showcasing the incentives offered by developers. However, residents' concerns include potential issues like sediment in water supplies, constant humming noise, and excessive water and power consumption. Although Killeen may not be as water-stressed as other Texas cities, and companies like Rowan are implementing closed-loop cooling technologies, community apprehension remains. Limiti expresses high confidence that a data center will eventually be built in Killeen, citing the Killeen City Council's historical tendency to side with developers. He emphasizes that the upcoming May 2 election, which will bring a new City Council and possibly a new mayor, presents an opportunity for residents to influence the decision.