Questions about possible AI data center development arose during a Brownwood City Council public hearing on Tuesday morning, when the council considered annexing approximately 20 acres near Brownwood Regional Airport into the city limits.
The property’s proposed annexation became the subject of questions from Daniel Graham, who asked about the owner, current use and intended future use of the land. The hearing was part of the City Council’s Tuesday morning meeting.
What the property is being used for now
Brownwood Industrial Foundation President Angie Shults, who attended the hearing, said the land had been leased but was vacant. She said it was being used for agricultural purposes.
When Graham asked about a proposed use for the 20 acres, Shults said there was none at this time. She explained that the foundation had reviewed its current real estate holdings and believed the property was already inside the city limits. Bringing the land into the city, she said, could help Brownwood if economic development opportunities arise in the future.
“There’s no proposed use at this time, we just reviewed our current real estate holdings and were under the impression that all of our land was within the city limits. Our purpose as the board and foundation is to help Brownwood, so we felt if this was within in the city limits it would help should there be any type of economic development in the future for it.”
No data center proposal identified
Graham then specifically asked whether the land could be used for an AI data center or whether big tech was considering the property.
Shults said the foundation had not been contacted about either possibility and that data centers and big-tech development had not been discussed.
“We have not been approached at all. That has not been a discussion as far as data centers or big tech.”
The comments indicate that no AI data center proposal was presented as part of the annexation hearing. The source material does not identify a developer, project timeline or pending application for the property.
City says annexation supports airport interests
Brownwood City Manager Marshal McIntosh said the annexation was requested by the Brownwood Industrial Foundation as a proactive step. In an emailed statement, he said bringing the property into the city limits would create a more unified footprint and protect the long-term interests of Brownwood Regional Airport.
McIntosh said the annexation could support future aviation-related development. The source material does not state whether the City Council took final action on the annexation during the meeting.