Emergent Data Center Show at McNease Convention Center

San Angelo Mayor Tom Thompson interviewed two executives from Emergent Data Center, CEO Chris Sumter and Chief Technology Officer Mike Coleman, about the proposed Skybox Data Center project in the Northeast portion of town.  This followed a presentation by Planning & Development Director Aaron Vannoy on ordinance changes based on development research from other communities with current and proposed data centers.

The Mayor's structured interview covered the following areas:

• Emergent Executives background
• Why San Angelo
• Water Use
• Noise Mitigation
• Construction
• Operation - jobs created
• Grid - electricity impact
• Community responsibility
• Tax revenue (no specifics given)

The panel discussion had several explicit sales pitches embedded in it as well as promises to solve any problems that arose.  There was no indication that any panel member thought the project itself was problematic for San Angelo and this part of West Texas.  

Not addressed by the panel or the city's planning director:  economic development incentives currently under consideration for the project.  

I submitted that question on April 9th using the online form:

Please provide information about any public subsidies, direct or indirect, that the city is providing or plans to consider to support the development of the Skybox/Emergent Data Center. I submitted a public information request to this effect in December 2025 but have received no response at the City of San Angelo appealed to the Texas Attorney General to keep such information confidential.

It's interesting that city leaders can share research on design parameters from other cities but not on economic development incentives.  Last night's meeting would have been the perfect opportunity for city leaders to share their thinking in this arena.  They expressly have not to date and likely won't until it goes before Council for an up or down vote.  The hint that tax breaks will be included is the five to six year time frame to accrue community financial benefit.

I did learn that Chris Sumter started Emergent after a meeting with a private equity firm, something like Emphoric Capital.  Also, the city may steer its reclaimed water to the project (away from Wall farmers).  Whoever Emergent/Skybox leases the data center to may or may not pay sales taxes on the equipment they place in the facility (currently a State of Texas tax break).  The Mayor said it is not the city's right to demand anything from the company in terms of good community relations.

I was unable to stay for the public comment portion of the meeting but hope to view the video.  At least I got to hear the commercial.