Shackelford County judge responds to backlash over second proposed data center
Shackelford County Judge John Verteel responded to residents' backlash regarding a second proposed data center. Concerns primarily revolved around the strain on local resources such as electricity and water, as well as potential cultural changes. Residents voiced significant opposition to the project.
Shackelford County residents had the opportunity to speak with County Judge John Verteel on Friday, raising questions and concerns about a second proposed data center in the area. Judge Verteel reported spending 12 hours engaging with the public outside the Shackleford County Courthouse, describing the dialogue as successful.
During a Commissioners Court meeting the previous Monday, representatives from Merit Advisors presented details about a prospective project by Bolton Data Energy. Judge Verteel acknowledged that the prevailing sentiment among residents was resistance to the project, with the most prominent voiced concerns centering on the impact on local resources, specifically electricity and water. Water was highlighted as a particularly legitimate concern for the region, overshadowing economic considerations, which reportedly took a secondary role to worries about cultural changes.