Harlingen Data Center Proposal
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Harlingen Data Center Proposal
Harlingen City Commissioner René Pérez opposes the 1,800-acre data center near Valley International Airport, citing community feedback, and the city is exploring options to cancel the water supply contract.
Harlingen, Texas
In a significant political shift, Harlingen City Commissioner René Pérez (District 5) has officially come out against the massive 1,800-acre data center proposed near Valley International Airport. This follows weeks of heated City Commission meetings where residents have repeatedly packed the room to voice their opposition. Pérez cited this direct feedback as a driving force behind his decision, stating he wanted to "listen to the community" and conduct his own research before taking a definitive stand.
Even bigger news is developing regarding the project's controversial water supply. Residents have been furious over the Harlingen Waterworks Board’s existing agreement to sell million gallons of treated wastewater per day to the facility a deal many critics argue is a waste of precious resources in a drought-prone region. In a major development, Commissioner Pérez admitted on social media that the City is now actively exploring ways to back out of that contract, stating, "That’s something being looked into. We are trying to do our due diligence and several different options are being looked into." This is the first public acknowledgement that the water deal might not be set in stone.
Because the project is located just outside city limits, it falls under Cameron County’s jurisdiction, limiting the City’s ability to deny building permits. However, the project still faces major hurdles. If the City cancels the water contract, or if the local school district and Cameron County Commissioners Court deny the necessary tax abatements, the billion-dollar facility would likely become too expensive to build.
In a significant political shift, Harlingen City Commissioner René Pérez (District 5) has officially come out against the massive 1,800-acre data center proposed near Valley International Airport. This follows weeks of heated City Commission meetings where residents have repeatedly packed the room to voice their opposition. Pérez cited this direct feedback as a driving force behind his decision, stating he wanted to "listen to the community" and conduct his own research before taking a definitive stand.
Even bigger news is developing regarding the project's controversial water supply. Residents have been furious over the Harlingen Waterworks Board’s existing agreement to sell million gallons of treated wastewater per day to the facility a deal many critics argue is a waste of precious resources in a drought-prone region. In a major development, Commissioner Pérez admitted on social media that the City is now actively exploring ways to back out of that contract, stating, "That’s something being looked into. We are trying to do our due diligence and several different options are being looked into." This is the first public acknowledgement that the water deal might not be set in stone.
Because the project is located just outside city limits, it falls under Cameron County’s jurisdiction, limiting the City’s ability to deny building permits. However, the project still faces major hurdles. If the City cancels the water contract, or if the local school district and Cameron County Commissioners Court deny the necessary tax abatements, the billion-dollar facility would likely become too expensive to build.