Brenham residents packed a recent city council meeting to voice their concerns about the foreign-owned data center project planned in their community. City council members unanimously voted against an ordinance that would grant the project a tax break after hearing public comment.
One local news outlet estimated that more than 100 residents attended the meeting.
As previously reported, data centers are surging in number around Texas, often drawing opposition from local residents.
Some local government officials have approved tax incentives to entice data center companies to come to the area, despite concerns from residents. These deals are offered in hopes of bringing economic prosperity through job creation and property tax revenue after the tax incentive period is over.
According to the City of Brenham’s website, the ordinance in question would change zoning laws for the property. If it was approved, a tax phase-in agreement would be considered at the next city council meeting.
“This agenda item is not a vote on whether the facility is coming to Brenham,” reads the city’s website. “The land sale has already occurred following a long, public process.”
The ordinance states that the city council believes there is evidence that the tax incentive “would contribute to the economic development of the city.”
Viridien is a French-owned data company headquartered in France with over 30 locations worldwide. Half of its United States locations are in the Houston area.
Brenham, a smaller town about an hour drive from Houston, clarifies on the city’s website that the data center will be used “for Viridien’s own research and technology work, not for storing personal data or operating digital currency.”
Jeana Bellinger, the city secretary for Brenham, confirmed the city council unanimously voted to reject the ordinance for the Viridien project.
