1,200-acre data center in Shackelford County could boost local economy

SHACKELFORD COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A field east of Highway 351 in Hamby seems quiet now, but it could get noisy if construction starts for a new 1,200-acre data center by Vantage Data Centers.

It’s planned to be on the edge of Shackelford County, just 15 minutes from Abilene, on the other side of town from Lancium. Shackelford County Judge John Viertel said he saw the economic potential the center could bring.

“They are making charitable contributions [$150,00 for 10 years] for different operations in the area that need to do work on contributions. They provide fire training for our volunteers. All of our fire departments are all volunteer,” Viertel said. “The property needs to change hands. The applicant has 30 days to notify the county that they have completed all the transactions, at which time we will formalize our agreement with them.”

Instead of taxes, the company will pay 10 million for the first 10 years and pay the tax rate for the following seven years. Viertel said the county gets other incentives as well.

“They have made the agreement to pay $10 million per year to the county, which is a significant uptick in the county’s budget… Should that begin to execute, then our challenge will be to try to make sure that we do not go into long-term commitments that will outlive the potential of this particular organization,” Viertel said.

One major concern Viertel said he has heard from residents is the water supply. The center plans to use a closed-circuit system, recycling water, but will take an initial sum of local resources, potentially from the Clear Fork Brazos River or the Hubbard Creek Reservoir.

“That would be a matter for the Hamby water district to answer because they have their sources of water. A lot of it comes from Hubbard, so they have to figure that in,” Viertel said.

If approved, the center is expected to have 50% construction finished by 2026. The judge can approve the deal after receiving notice of the property transfer.