Rowan Digital Infrastructure pursues final planned data center in Temple amid community opposition
Rowan Digital Infrastructure is seeking city approval for its sixth and final data center, the Lasso Building, in Temple, Texas. The project is advancing through the local zoning process despite ongoing protests from community group Temple Stands Together, which is calling for a moratorium on data center development. The group points to the rapid pace of data center approvals by the city and a need for more protective regulations.
Rowan Digital Infrastructure is advancing its plans for the Lasso Building, the sixth and final data center within its "Project Temple" development in Temple, Texas. The proposed facility, an additional $700 million investment, is slated for a 300-acre industrial site. It will undergo the city's standard approval process, with the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewing the application in August and the city council considering it in September, with construction targeted for early 2027 if approved.
The expansion faces significant community pushback from groups like "Temple Stands Together," led by Elena Voytko, who argues the city council and mayor consistently approve data center projects without heeding public concerns. Voytko's group is actively protesting, working to change city charter rules regarding recalls, and advocating for a moratorium on data center development. While Governor Abbott reportedly issued a statement concerning a moratorium and audits on data centers, Voytko asserts that more decisive action, including a special session and a complete freeze on projects, is necessary to protect local resources and residents.
Rowan Digital Infrastructure, through spokesperson Martin Romo, emphasizes its long-term investment in Temple and its willingness to adapt plans for community needs, citing an instance where it paused an earlier building's development to accommodate a landfill expansion. The company notes that its facilities, including the Lasso Building, utilize closed-loop cooling systems that minimize water usage. The combined investment from Rowan's projects in Temple is projected to reach $4.2 billion, creating over 500 construction jobs and an estimated $45 million annually in tax revenue for local services.