PAMPA, Texas – Construction has officially started on a massive $3 billion high-tech data center in Pampa, marking a transformative moment for the town and Gray County. Known as Project Meitner, this development is set to bring new economic opportunities and technological growth to the region.
The project is spearheaded by Intersect, an energy company with an established presence in Pampa, which was recently acquired by tech giant Google. According to Mayor Mike Borger, the city’s strong partnership with Intersect played a crucial role in bringing the ambitious project to Pampa.
"We’ve had a good partner here, Intersect, that’s been in Pampa for three years or so", said Borger. "Eventually, they got an opportunity to provide power for a data center, and now we have a $3 billion project underway."
Ground was broken on the data center in December, with construction already well underway for the first of three planned buildings. Each building will span an impressive 750,000 square feet, and once completed, the center will cover more than 2 million square feet in total. Crews are expected to begin pouring the slab for the first building in early February, with the remaining two buildings following in succession.
While the facility itself will employ around 30 workers per building, Mayor Borger highlighted the broader impact the facility is expected to have on the local job market.
"The affiliated jobs could be four jobs for every one job actually in the data center", said Borger. "We expect four to five hundred new, well-paid jobs in Pampa and Gray County."
The project has already spurred a ripple effect in the local economy, with increased demand for housing, hotels, and other services. The city has also seen growth in educational infrastructure, including a $130 million expansion and remodel for Pampa High School and Travis Elementary.
City leaders are taking proactive steps to ensure the local workforce is ready to meet the demands of this high-tech industry. Plans are underway to expand trade and career training programs, equipping high school students with the skills they need to step directly into skilled positions.
"We don’t just want jobs, we want careers", said Borger. "Where a senior in high school can learn something, come right out, go to work, and have a career where they can advance."
Concerns over resource usage have also been addressed as part of the project’s planning. As a condition of the tax abatement agreement, the data center will use cooling systems that do not rely on water, alleviating fears about water consumption.
"They’re using cooling that doesn’t involve water, and on the electricity side, it’s all off-grid, so it’s not going to affect electric bills or availability", explained Borger.
The financial impact of the project is expected to be significant, with substantial growth predicted for the local tax base. Over the next 10 years, Gray County’s tax base is projected to grow from $1.6 billion to $4.6 billion, while Pampa Independent School District’s tax base will see an immediate $3 billion increase.
For Mayor Borger, the timing and scale of the project represent more than just economic progress. "I see the development as part of God’s plan for Pampa’s future", he said.
As construction progresses, the data center is seen as a pivotal step toward diversifying Pampa’s industries, creating skilled careers, and fostering long-term economic growth. This transformative project is expected to leave a lasting legacy, reshaping the town’s future for generations to come.
