Editors Note: The Daily Record has made multiple attempts to contact Cloud-Burst Data Centers with no response.
The sound of drums and chants filled the air as protesters stood on the street adjacent to the proposed CloudBurst Data Center site last Wednesday on the outskirts of San Marcos during an apparent groundbreaking.
CloudBurst announced in February their plans to build an AI data center on 96 acres on Francis Harris Lane just southwest of San Marcos, outside of city limits. “Our mission is to design and build a global platform of AI-ready hyperscale data centers that use clean energy and deliver operational excellence without compromising value, reliability, innovation, service, efficiency, sustainability or security,” a statement on the CloudBurst website read.
There have been protests against CloudBurst and the other proposed data centers in the San Marcos area for months, with protestors speaking at city council meetings and organizing walks to bring to light the environmental impacts of data center infrastructure.
Neighbors to the data center site are the Lindsey sisters who, along with other community members, have been outspoken against the multiple proposed data centers on the east side of town. Abigail Lindsey had driven by the Cloud-Burst site, and noticed an increase in traffic in the area.
“My sister saw that there were tents set up in two locations on the property and a brand new bulldozer, so there’s an assumption that that’s going to be the groundbreaking ceremony,” Jennifer Lindsey said.
CloudBurst did not respond to requests for comment but the company’s website states that a groundbreaking is planned for the property in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Dozens of cars made their way onto the property of the proposed data center with Guadalupe County Police maintaining the entrance. The sisters noticed what looked like executives from CloudBurst and rallied the Data Center Action Coalition, which is an organization of San Marcos citizens. The organization started as a way to inform the public about the multiple data centers approaching the area. Soon about a dozen citizens arrived on the street adjacent to the ceremony to protest, bringing signs and noise makers.
CloudBurst cofounder Cynthia Thompson spoke at a May Hays County Commissioners Court meeting to present plans and information about the proposed data center.
“This is going to pass. It’s going to get approved,” Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said at the May meeting. “There’s nothing we can do about it.”
The Daily Record reported on this meeting in May. More information can be found at sanmarcosrecord. com/article/ 30291.
“CloudBurst corporate executives promised Hays County Commissioners half a year ago that they would make their water feasibility study public; they are now claiming it’s confidential,” said Data Center Action Coalition founder Si Frede. “Communities can and do win against data centers. A lot is at stake and it’s worth fighting for.”
Protestors lined the road in response to the ground-breaking ceremony. Photo courtesy of Data Center Action Coalition
Protestors made noise in attempts to disrupt the ground-breaking ceremony. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Lindsey
