Citizens Speak on Emergent/Skybox's SAI

 

The above video is cued to begin with citizen comment from the 4-22-26 public meeting on the Skybox/Emergent Data Center project in northeast San Angelo.  

Prior to public comment Mayor Thompson interviewed two gentlemen from Emergent Data Centers, Skybox's developer/sales agent.  The project is marketed as having "exceptional municipal support" and a "municipal partnership built for speed."

As someone who has tried to get information on economic development incentives since December 2025 I'd like to add "secrecy" to "speed."  I submitted that question for the public meeting but leadership chose not to address it in their infomercial.  

I had to leave as public comment was starting as I needed to go home and take care of animals.  I must say residents of San Angelo, Abilene Tom Green and surrounding counties spoke eloquently and passionately.  Bravo.  The video is worth watching.

The meeting deteriorated at the end when San Angelo Live's Joe Hyde chose to insult the crowd.

If that's your champion, I'm not sure you are on the right side.  Hyde ran for Tom Green County Judge against Lane Carter but lost.

Mayor Thompson did not have Hyde escorted out, instead Tom closed with:

"We are finished with public comment. Thank goodness." 

Box checked.  I'm afraid that means it's over.  

Dove Creek's Shawn Nanny (Tom Green County Commissioner) spoke simply and passionately against Beacon Data Centers locating in his community.  San Angelo's Joe Hyde trashed a public meeting with name calling against people doing the same as Nanny.  

It's a stain that taints and that may have been the aim.  End the show with a dookie. 

Note:  There are four data centers under consideration, one in San Angelo and three more in Tom Green County (source:  COSADC board meeting presentation by Michael Looney on 4-8-26).  

Tom Green County is asking for the ability to act on behalf of its citizens in shepherding local resources, water, power, etc..

The initial post had Joe Hyde as a mayoral candidate against Thompson.  That was incorrect and the post updated to show Hyde ran for County Judge but lost.  Had he won he might be shepherding the development of three data centers and not asking the state legislature for the ability to protect citizens from data center harm. 12:10 pm on 4-24-26