Residents gathered in Bastrop on Wednesday evening to voice frustration over the rapid expansion of data centers across Central Texas. The town hall meeting drew bipartisan criticism of the industry, with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and state Rep. Vikki Goodwin joining calls for greater oversight of developments that residents say could threaten water supplies, raise electric costs, and bring industrial sprawl to rural communities.
The gathering came amid growing concern over data center projects in Cedar Creek, including EdgeConneX’s approved and proposed buildings. Residents have questioned whether developers and local officials have provided enough information about water use, electricity demand, noise, tax incentives, and long-term impacts.
The backlash reflects a growing movement across Texas. The state is poised to become the No. 1 U.S. data center market, and JLL has projected that Texas could overtake Northern Virginia as the world’s largest by 2030.
Bastrop residents voice anger over Cedar Creek data center project
The EdgeConneX development in Cedar Creek has become a flashpoint for community opposition in Bastrop County. State and county records identify CoreWeave as the expected user of EdgeConneX’s first data center building, and Community Impact reported that construction continues on the first of 19 potential EdgeConneX data center buildings planned in Cedar Creek…