government
"We must prohibit them" says Governor Abbott about building AI data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods
By Jack Fink at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· July 5, 2026
· 2 min read
After calling for more regulations on data centers in Texas last month, Governor Greg Abbott has taken a step further and said AI data centers shouldn't be built in rural Texas neighborhoods. His comments came during a re-election campaign rally in Bullard, Texas, near Tyler on Tuesday. Data cent...
Key takeaway Abbott said he's aligned with East Texas values.
Why this matters in Southlake News
In Southlake , the debate over AI data centers has significant implications for local residents and the community's character. As Governor Abbott pushes to prohibit these facilities in rural Texas neighborhoods, Southlake's own experiences with rapid growth and development come into play. The city's residents have long been concerned about the impact of large-scale projects on traffic, infrastructure, and property values. If the governor's proposed regulations become law, it could set a precedent for how Southlake and other nearby cities approach similar projects in the future. The revocation of sales tax incentives for data center developers could also affect the local economy, potentially altering the types of businesses that choose to locate in the area. As the next legislative session approaches, Southlake residents will be watching closely to see how these proposed regulations play out and what they might mean for the city's own development and growth.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After calling for more regulations on data centers in Texas last month, Governor Greg Abbott has taken a step further and said AI data centers shouldn't be built in rural Texas neighborhoods. His comments came during a re-election campaign rally in Bullard, Texas, near Tyler on Tuesday. Data cent...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jack Fink at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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