Roundtable: The opportunities & challenges of Abilene's new AI data campus

Yahoo

05-02-2025

ABILENE, Texas () – City leaders from across Abilene gathered for the annual State of the City address, highlighting key issues shaping the daily lives and future of Abileneans. Among the topics was one making national headlines—the clean energy Lancium campus that will host what President Donald Trump has called the largest artificial intelligence project in history.
DCOA highlights Abilene's role in Trump's historic $500 billion AI infrastructure project
Abilene has been a part of global discussions on data center development and AI since the announcement that Stargate—a project backed by a $500 billion investment—will call the Key City home. Set to be located at the Lancium campus, a development three years in the making, this project has been made possible in part by the efforts of the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA).
During the 2025 State of the City address roundtable conversation, DCOA President and CEO Misty Mayo emphasized that they are 'laser-focused' on two goals that will drive Abilene's growth:
'We're working every day to grow the future for you and your family members… The two things are growing the commercial tax base and growing new jobs because with new jobs and a new tax base, we're able to guarantee the prosperity of our community for years to come,' Mayo explained. 'Lancium, of course, is the most notable, I will say. Over the last five years, we've worked at the DCOA to attract 40 company expansions. That is a record number. Most of the largest projects in the history of our community have happened in the last five years. What I'm talking about is these companies like Lancium and Crusoe are making a commitment to be a part of our community. They're making a commitment to spend their money in Abilene and grow that commercial tax base.'
Mayo also highlighted how this partnership marks the beginning of a new industry for Abilene.
'When we're able to grow the commercial tax base and diversify the types of jobs and the types of industries, that diversification is a strength and is a future for Abilene.'
Locals weigh in: How Stargate benefits Abilene and Taylor County
One concern residents have raised is the impact this project could have on the area's water supply. Abilene City Manager Robert Hanna reassured the public that Lancium prioritizes environmental responsibility and works to minimize its footprint.
'They have a new way, or a responsible way, of cooling their systems with a closed loop system, and we are working with them, and they're working with us to be able to do industrial pre-treatment and the discharge of that water as it leaves the system, so it's available to be used again in other areas as it goes through the nature's process and our treatment facilities. I really want to applaud them publicly for thinking about coming here to West Texas,' Hanna explained.
Hanna also addressed concerns about how Lancium would operate during extreme weather events, such as the 2021 winter storm that left many without power and water.
'We had a citizen come to the councilman today and talk about what's going to happen if we have another winter storm again. The beauty of Lancium's approach is that they're planning ahead for that,' Hanna said. 'They're making sure they have the energy resources and energy production capability to handle their own needs, so they're not going to be this big drain on the grid. So I'm excited that they're here. I'm excited about their community engagement and the responsible nature in which they're growing their business.'
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Mayor Weldon Hurt echoed that enthusiasm, emphasizing the significance of this development for Abilene.
'We are excited about Lancuim being here, and we're proud of Abilene, Texas, Taylor County; this area is going to have the biggest data center in the country, maybe in the world,' Hurt expressed. 'These are questions that we asked these companies. We asked about water, we asked about the use of power, and they gave us responsible answers. I just want to say once again that we are excited that they are here.'
Click to explore how Lancium and Stargate are shaping the future right here in Abilene.
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