Good morning, Harlingen.
This is a long read but important. I want to explain where things stand with the Fluidstack data center being developed in Cameron County and clarify what was discussed at last night’s Commission meeting.
First, the data center is not being built in the City of Harlingen. It is a county project, and Harlingen does not have the authority to approve, deny or stop it. Fluidstack has already received approval to move forward.
During the summer, representatives associated with Fluidstack were speaking with elected officials throughout Cameron County. I had one conversation with a representative who told me about the company and its plans to build in the county. I was told the project would not be located within Harlingen and that Fluidstack did not intend to request water service from our utility.
At that time, there was no request for City assistance, no discussion about drainage and no request to use City infrastructure. As far as I was concerned, this was a development in the county over which the City of Harlingen had no authority.
Representatives from Fluidstack did meet with members of the City Commission this week. I did not participate in those meetings.
I only recently learned that Fluidstack was seeking to connect its drainage to a City owned ditch. These types of requests have historically been handled administratively through our Engineering Department and would not normally come before the City Commission.
That changed last night.
By a 5 to 1 vote, the Commission approved a resolution requiring significant connections to our City drainage system to come before the Commission for approval rather than being handled solely at the administrative level. The exception is a single residential lot.
This wasn’t a rule created just for data centers. Going forward, significant developments or industries seeking to connect to and potentially impact our City drainage infrastructure will require Commission approval.
Immediately afterward, we heard the presentation regarding Fluidstack’s request.
We learned that the development encompasses approximately 600 acres, with approximately 100 acres dedicated to detention. We also heard about approximately $7 million in drainage improvements Fluidstack would fund, including off site improvements and expansion of the existing ditch.
Our City Engineer presented the drainage analysis and explained why Engineering was recommending approval. We were told that the proposed improvements would improve drainage in the area and would not negatively impact our drainage system.
I strongly encourage residents to watch the Engineering presentation from last night’s meeting. It provides important context about what is actually being proposed and the anticipated impact on the surrounding area.
We were also informed that Fluidstack is willing to provide $20 million to the City of Harlingen for infrastructure improvements as part of an agreement. I have not yet reviewed that agreement, so I am not going to speculate about its terms until I have. (I will share once I have an opportunity to read it myself)
But something important was missing from this process: an opportunity for our community to meaningfully participate before the Commission was asked to make a decision.
This is the first time any data center has asked the City of Harlingen for anything.
I have consistently said that if a data center ever came before the City seeking something from Harlingen, our residents should have an opportunity to participate. Until now, that had never happened.
Now it has.
Because we only recently became aware of this request and there had not been sufficient time for meaningful community engagement, I moved to table the item on the condition that Fluidstack hold a town hall for our residents.
That motion passed unanimously.
Before I am prepared to vote, I want Fluidstack to explain its project and its drainage request directly to our community. I want residents to be able to ask their questions, voice their concerns and hear the answers for themselves.
There is another important reality here. Fluidstack has told us that connecting to Harlingen’s drainage system is its preferred option, but it is not its only option. If Harlingen denies the request, the company has indicated that it will pursue an alternative drainage option.
The data center is moving forward either way.
Our decision is not whether a data center will be built in Cameron County. We do not have that authority.
Our decision is whether allowing this connection to Harlingen’s drainage infrastructure is in the best interest of our community and, if we allow it, what protections and benefits should be required for the people of Harlingen.
The item will come back before the City Commission after the town hall. At that point, we will have the Engineering analysis, the proposed agreement and, most importantly, feedback from the people we represent. Then we can make an informed decision.
Before I cast my vote, I want our residents to have a voice in it.
Editor's Note: The above guest column was penned by Norma Sepulveda, Mayor for the City of Harlingen. It first appeared as commentary on the Mayor's social media pages.
