“Now that CyrusOne has taken their request for a Tax Abatement off the table, we no longer have any say in anything they do out there,” explained Freestone County Judge, Lloyd Lane, regarding Phase 2 of the Data Center project near Calpine. “As long as they abide by environmental laws, they can do what they want. We can’t hold them to anything.”

During the June 17, 2026, Commissioners Court Meeting, Judge Lane explained to a packed District Courtroom that the County’s outside legal council had informed him that the company was no longer seeking a Tax Abatement on Phase 2 of the project, therefore the Public Hearing scheduled during the meeting was cancelled. However, he and the commissioners still wanted to hear citizens’ concerns and to get them recorded.

Approximately 15-20 citizens took their turn to speak, mostly against the project. Some of the issues addressed included:

–Low frequency noise has terrible effects on humans and wildlife, causing real serious problems.

–Water supply usage and evaporation, as well as chemicals being released back into the environment.

–“I think saying that there is nothing we can do on a county level is a scapegoat. Y’all are allowing these people to come in and trash our county.”

–Emissions from data centers cause ‘blue baby syndrome’

–“Pleading with you guys to stay on top of this to continue to protect this county as best you can.

–“These citizens are smart; and so are our commissioners. I’m proud to be a part of this community. I’m proud of the commissioners for doing their research. At a county level, they are doing a great job of asking the right questions.”

–“Right now, I don’t feel heard. What’s the rush? Y’all have been elected to protect this county. Do whatever you can to halt these projects for now.”

After all citizens had the chance to voice their opinion, Judge Lane said, “I don’t know what it’s going to take to make people realize what we cannot make them do. Texas is a private property rights state. It’s their land, and as long as they aren’t doing anything illegal, they can do what they want with their land. We have no authority to make these decisions. The Tax Abatement Agreement was our only way to have any say in what these companies can and cannot do; and now that is off the table.”

He went on to say, “I wish there was a perfect answer and a better way to resolve all of this. We didn’t ask them or invite them to come here, but we also don’t overreach; we stay out of people’s business. There is talk of the possibility of three more data centers coming to this county, so this may not be the last time we come together for these types of discussions. I ask everyone to please contact the Governor’s office, your representatives, and legislators. It’s going to take calls from everyone to accomplish anything.”

*It’s important to understand that removing the Tax Abatement does NOT mean that the project will not be moving forward. It simply means that CyrusOne is no longer seeking a Tax Abatement from the County for said project.*

Also approved during this meeting:

— Adoption of Freestone County Commissioners Court Procedure and Decorum

–Minutes from June 10, 2026, special meeting

–Budget transfers and amendments

–Bill payments

–Payroll

–Reports from JP 3 and Senior Services

–Application for Replats, Road Use Agreement

–Bonds & education certificates

–Resolution for Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Program Grant (SB8) for Freestone County Sheriff’s Office from Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Office

–Purchase of 3 Trucks for the Sheriff’s Office with SB22 funds

Freestone County Commissioners include Andy Bonner (Pct. 1), Will McSwane (Pct. 2), Richard McGowan (Pct. 3), Clyde Ridge, Jr. (Pct. 4), and Lloyd Lane (County Judge).

Their regularly scheduled meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the 2nd-floor courtroom.

Meeting dates and agendas can be found online at www.co.freestone.tx.us/page/freestone.PublicNotices.

You can view their meetings on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCbIetX9uPjTFiTnXLrHpzfA.