Articles · Power and data centers
664 acres, staked in feet. Taylor's data center terms
Taylor published the terms of a proposed data center campus agreement before the council vote. They set its buildings, noise and water against what would apply without the agreement.
Read the story
The City of Taylor says it is considering a proposed agreement with Big Watt Digital and PowerHouse Data Centers covering annexation and development of Taylor Technology Campus. The city describes it as a 664-acre project with data center facilities and on-site power generation, immediately east of the current city limits. The agreement still has to go before the City Council for a vote on October 8th, 2026.
The developers withdrew their annexation and zoning application on September 3rd, 2026. The city says that without the agreement the project would have stayed in unincorporated Williamson County, which has no zoning authority. It says it would then have had no authority over any aspect of the project.
What the terms set, in feet
Buildings would sit at least 300 feet from the north, east and west property lines. Along the south line, data centers, power generation and battery storage would sit at least 700 feet back, and accessory structures at least 500 feet.
A permanent landscaped buffer of at least 400 feet would run along the south property line. It would carry earthen berms at least 6 feet high for screening. The city says the landscaping and buffer areas would separate the development from nearby homes.
Noise, water and money
Noise from the development would be capped at the greater of 65 dBA or the level before construction. An acoustic study at the property lines would set that level. Without the agreement the city's table lists the state limit of 85 dBA.
Cooling would run in a closed loop on reclaimed water, with an initial fill of 1.575 million gallons for the whole site. Drinking water would not fill the cooling system unless one of the agreement's exceptions applies. The first is a temporary emergency approved in writing by the city manager. The second applies if the city misses its deadline to build the reclaimed water improvements. The third applies if reclaimed service starts and is later cut below what the developers need.
The developers would commit $28.2 for community investments and nonprofit support. They are not asking for any tax abatement. The city projects $1.38 in gross tax revenue over 20 years, which is its own projection and not a measured amount.
What residents asked for
In June a coalition of residents presented the city with a petition at a council meeting, calling for a temporary ban on new data center development in Taylor. KEYE reported that the coalition gathered about 1,400 signatures. KEYE also reported that the city found the petition can't go on the ballot, because Texas law doesn't allow zoning changes by popular vote. Texas Standard reported that coalition members filed a motion with the Third Court of Appeals. The motion claims the city and its council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act and the city charter by not acting on the proposed ban.
What the record does not yet show
The agreement is a proposal awaiting the council's vote, and the terms here are the city's own summary of it. The city's pages cited here give no size for the buildings. The noise cap rises above 65 dBA only if an acoustic study at the property lines measures a higher level before construction. That study's result is not in the documents cited here.
Spectrum News reported on October 5th, 2026 that the Texas attorney general's office is investigating a proposed data center in Taylor. Spectrum identifies that developer as Blueprint Data Centers. The city names Big Watt Digital and PowerHouse Data Centers as the developers of Taylor Technology Campus, so the investigation concerns a separate project.
Sources for this story
- The City of Taylor's news release on the proposed development agreement for the Taylor Technology Campus
- The City of Taylor's Taylor Technology Campus page, which sets the terms beside what applies without them
- The City of Taylor's Data Centers in Taylor page
- KEYE's report on the petition the city ruled ineligible for the ballot
- Texas Standard's report on Austin area residents and data center bans
- Spectrum News' report on the Taylor data center
Claim-by-claim verification · 59 claims
The City of Taylor says it is considering a proposed agreement with Big Watt Digital and PowerHouse Data Centers covering annexation and development of Taylor Technology Campus. The project was formerly known as Project Mustang.
The City of Taylor is considering a proposed agreement with Big Watt Digital and PowerHouse Data Centers to move forward with annexation and development for Taylor Technology Campus, formerly known as Project Mustang
The city describes Taylor Technology Campus as a 664-acre project that includes data center facilities and on-site power generation.
a 664-acre project that includes data center facilities and on-site power generation
The city's project page places the site on 664 acres between FM 112 and Highway 79, immediately east of the current Taylor city limits.
Located on 664 acres between FM 112 and US 79, Taylor Technology Campus, formerly Project Mustang, is immediately east of the current City limits.
The city says the proposed agreement still has to go before the Taylor City Council for a vote at the October 8th, 2026 council meeting. It is a proposal awaiting a vote, not an approved agreement.
The proposed agreement will still go before City Council for a vote at the Oct. 8 City Council meeting.
In its October 2nd, 2026 announcement the city says the developers withdrew their annexation and zoning application with the city the month before.
This comes after the developers withdrew their annexation and zoning application with the City last month.
The city's project timeline dates the withdrawal of the Project Mustang zoning and annexation application to September 3rd, 2026.
Project Mustang withdraws zoning and annexation application
The city's timeline says the Planning and Zoning Commission voted on August 18th, 2026 to table the project for 90 days pending more information and data center regulations.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to table the project for 90 days pending additional information and Data Center Regulations.
According to the city, without the development agreement the project would have stayed in unincorporated Williamson County. The city says the county has no zoning authority and minimal development regulations.
Without the development agreement, the project would have remained in unincorporated Williamson County, which has no zoning authority and minimal development regulations.
The city states that without the agreement it would have had no authority over any aspect of the project.
The City of Taylor would have had no authority over any aspect of the project.
Under the proposed agreement the property would be annexed into Taylor city limits.
With this proposed development agreement, the property will be annexed into City limits
The city's comparison table says emissions and air quality would be regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under the proposed agreement.
Regulated by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
With the agreement, noise from the development would be capped at the greater of 65 dBA or the pre-development level.
Noise generated from the development shall not exceed the greater of either 65 decibels (dBA) or the pre-development level.
Without the agreement, the city's table lists state noise limits of 85 dBA and no additional county regulations.
State limits of 85 dBA. No additional County regulations
The proposed terms call for an acoustic study at the property lines to set the pre-development noise level.
An acoustic study will be conducted at the property lines to develop a pre-development noise level.
With the agreement, lighting would have to meet the city's Dark Skies requirements.
Must adhere to City’s Dark Skies requirements
Under the proposed terms a lighting plan would be submitted with the building permit application.
A lighting plan will be submitted with the building permit application
With the agreement, the site would use a closed loop cooling system on reclaimed water. Its initial fill volume would be 1.575 million gallons for the entire site.
The site must be designed and constructed with a closed loop cooling system utilizing reclaimed water with an initial fill volume of 1.575 million gallons for the entire site.
Under the proposed terms potable city water would be used only for restrooms, break rooms and similar uses.
Potable City water will only be used for restrooms, break rooms, etc.
Under the proposed terms no potable water would be authorized for filling the HVAC system or for evaporative cooling unless one of the circumstances in the agreement applies.
No potable water will be authorized for use in filling the HVAC system or any need for evaporative cooling purposes unless a circumstance outlined in the agreement allows
The first exception the city lists is a temporary emergency with written approval from the city manager.
Temporary emergency with written approval by City Manager.
The second exception applies if the city fails to finish building the reclaimed water improvements by the construction deadline.
If the City fails to complete construction of the reclaimed water improvements by the construction deadline.
The third exception applies if reclaimed water service starts and is later interrupted, suspended or reduced below the developers' operational requirements.
If the reclaimed water service to the property has commenced but is subsequently interrupted, suspended or reduced below the developers’ operational requirements.
With the agreement, wastewater would be designed and permitted under Chapter 29 of the city's Code of Ordinances, including its industrial pretreatment requirements.
Wastewater must be designed and permitted in accordance with Chapter 29 of the Code of Ordinances which includes all associated requirements for industrial pretreatment.
Without the agreement, the city's table says the developers would follow a TCEQ permit. They would treat their own water on site and discharge to a creek with no city oversight.
Must follow TCEQ permit, treating their own water on site and discharging to a creek with no City oversight.
As part of the proposed agreement the developers would withdraw their TCEQ wastewater discharge permit application.
As part of the investments into the City’s wastewater system, the developers will withdraw their TCEQ wastewater discharge permit application.
Under the proposed terms the developers would pay for all utility lines connecting their site to Taylor's utility systems.
The developers will pay for all utility lines to connect their site to City of Taylor utility systems.
The developers would commit to wastewater infrastructure improvements that the city says would improve effluent quality and reduce discharges to Mustang Creek. The city says they would also preserve potable water for residents by serving future industrial demand with reclaimed water.
The developers will commit to wastewater infrastructure improvements to improve effluent quality, reduce discharges to Mustang Creek and preserve potable water for residents by serving future industrial demand with reclaimed water.
The city's table says the project would generate its own power on site and could sell power back to the grid when production exceeds its needs.
The project will generate its own power on site with the ability to sell power back to the grid when production exceeds needs.
With the agreement, stormwater systems would have to meet the city's Engineering Manual. The developer would have to make a good-faith effort to reduce the pre-development amount of stormwater flowing onto neighboring properties.
Stormwater systems must meet the City’s Engineering Manual, and the developer must make a good-faith effort to reduce the pre-development amount of stormwater flowing from the property onto neighboring properties.
With the agreement, buildings would be set back at least 300 feet from the north, east and west property lines.
Buildings must be set back at least 300 feet from the north, east and west property lines.
Along the south property line, data centers, power generation facilities and battery storage would sit at least 700 feet from the line. Accessory structures would sit at least 500 feet away.
Along the south property line, data centers, power generation facilities and battery storage must be at least 700 feet from the property line, while accessory structures must be at least 500 feet away.
A permanent landscaped buffer of at least 400 feet would run along the south property line near FM 112.
A permanent landscaped buffer of at least 400 feet must also be provided along the south property line near FM 112.
The proposed buffer would include landscaped areas and earthen berms at least 6 feet high for screening.
The buffer will include landscaped areas and earthen berms at least 6 feet high to provide additional screening.
Under the proposed terms on-site emergency backup generators would be tested monthly on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
On-site emergency back-up generators are subject to monthly testing during weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The city says the developers are committing $28.2 million for community investments and nonprofit support under the proposed agreement.
the developers are committing $28.2 million for community investments and nonprofit support
The package would include $13 million to the city for quality-of-life improvements. At least $750,000 of it would go to adaptive-use improvements at city parks for people with disabilities.
$13 million to the City of Taylor for quality-of-life improvements, including at least $750,000 for the design and construction of adaptive-use improvements at City parks for individuals with disabilities.
The package would include $10.2 million for Taylor ISD educational programs.
$10.2 million to Taylor ISD educational programs.
The package would include $1.5 million for Taylor ISD student higher education scholarships.
$1.5 million for Taylor ISD student higher education scholarships.
The package would include $1 million for Taylor ISD career and technical education and workforce development, with at least 20 student internships a year for three years.
$1 million for Taylor ISD for Career and Technical Education and workforce development, along with at least 20 student internships annually for three years.
The package would include $1 million to the city for animal care program support.
$1 million to the City for animal care program support
The package would include initial grants of $150,000 each to the Taylor Education Enrichment Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of East Williamson County.
Initial grants of $150,000 each to the Taylor Education Enrichment Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of East Williamson County.
The package would include additional annual nonprofit contributions totaling $1.2 million over 10 years.
Additional annual nonprofit contributions totaling $1.2 million over 10 years.
The city says the developers are not asking for any tax abatements with their request for approval of the development agreement.
The developers are not asking for any tax abatements with this request for development agreement approval.
The city projects $1.38 billion in gross tax revenue from the project over 20 years. That figure is the city's own projection, not a measured amount.
The projected $1.38 billion in gross tax revenue generated by the project over 20 years
Taylor Mayor Jim Buzan said he was incredibly pleased the city reached a proposed agreement with the developers for Taylor Technology Campus.
I'm incredibly pleased that the City was able to reach a proposed agreement with the developers for Taylor Technology Campus
Buzan said he believes the terms before the council represent the best path forward for Taylor and the surrounding area.
said Jim Buzan, Mayor of Taylor. "I believe the terms before Council represent the best path forward for Taylor and the surrounding area
The city's Data Centers in Taylor page lists Blueprint Data Centers. The page says Blueprint is developing a data center campus on the southeast side of Taylor on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Blueprint Data Centers is developing a data center campus on the southeast side of Taylor, on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The same page says the Taylor City Council approved the Employment Center Plan for the Blueprint project in July 2025.
The City Council approved the Employment Center Plan for this project in July 2025.
The same page lists a second project, Project Comal, which it says is in the city's review process.
A second data center project, known as Project Comal, is currently in the
The city's data center page says a coalition of residents presented a petition at the June 11th, 2026 City Council meeting. It called for a temporary ban on new data center development in Taylor until a dedicated zone for digital infrastructure is created.
At the June 11 City Council Meeting, a coalition of residents presented the City with a petition calling for a temporary ban on the development of data centers in Taylor until a dedicated zone for digital infrastructure is created
KEYE reported that on July 9th, 2026 the city announced the petition can't move forward through the initiative process or be placed on the ballot. The city said it had certified the signatures and consulted outside legal counsel, and that Texas law does not allow zoning changes by popular vote.
it determined the measure cannot move forward through the initiative process or be placed on the ballot because Texas law does not allow zoning changes by popular vote
KEYE reported that the HALT Taylor Data Centers coalition gathered about 1,400 signatures for a petition seeking to prohibit new data centers under the city's current zoning.
members of the HALT Taylor Data Centers coalition gathered about 1,400 signatures for a petition that sought to prohibit new data centers under the
Texas Standard reported that Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Cmerek said state law does not allow a city to enact or change its zoning by popular vote.
State law does not allow a city to enact or change its zoning by popular vote.
Texas Standard reported that coalition members filed a legal motion with the Third Court of Appeals. The motion claims Taylor and its City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act and the city charter by not acting on the proposed ban.
Third Court of Appeals, claiming that Taylor and its City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act and the city charter by not taking action on the proposed data center ban
Spectrum News reported on October 5th, 2026 that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office has launched an investigation into a proposed data center in Taylor.
Texas AG investigating proposed data center in Taylor
Spectrum News identifies the developer in that dispute as Blueprint Data Centers. That is a separate project from Taylor Technology Campus, which the city ties to Big Watt Digital and PowerHouse Data Centers.
Griffin and some neighbors filed a land deed lawsuit against the developer, Blueprint Data Centers, last year.
Spectrum News quoted Paxton's announcement saying that if the Taylor data center development is unlawful he will do everything in his power to stop it.
If the Taylor data center development is unlawful, I will do everything in my power to stop it and hold those who have violated the law accountable.
The city says regular council meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The city says the proposed site would include landscaping and buffer areas to separate the development from nearby homes.
The site will include landscaping and buffer areas to separate the development from nearby homes.