Pampa’s $3 billion high-tech data center signals new era of growth for Gray County

PAMPA, Texas (KFDA) - Construction is now underway on a $3 billion data center project called Meitner in Pampa.

The development is tied to Intersect, an energy company that has operated in Pampa for several years and was recently acquired by Google.

Pampa Mayor Mike Borger says that existing partnership helped bring the project to the area.

“We’ve had a good partner here, Intersect, that’s been in Pampa for three years or so,” said Borger. “Eventually, they got an opportunity to provide power for a data center, and now we have a $3 billion project underway.”

The data center broke ground in December.

The first of three buildings — each 750,000 square feet — is already moving forward.

Crews are expected to begin pouring the slab in early February with two additional buildings following back-to-back.

Once complete, the center will span more than 2 million square feet.

While the data center itself will employ up to 30 workers or more per building, Borger says the broader impact comes from affiliated jobs tied to operations and support services.

“The affiliated jobs could be four jobs for every one job actually in the data center,” said Borger. “We expect four to five hundred new, well-paid jobs in Pampa and Gray County.”

City leaders say Pampa wants to expand trade and career training to prepare students for both new, high-tech jobs and long-standing industries.

“We don’t just want jobs, we want careers,” said Borger. “Where a senior in high school can learn something, come right out, go to work, and have a career where they can advance.”

As construction ramps up, the city says it is already seeing signs of growth, including full hotels, busy RV parks, new housing developments, and a $130 million expansion remodel for Pampa High School and Travis Elementary.

Concerns about water use and electricity demand have also surfaced.

Borger says the Gray County commissioners required the project to use cooling systems that do not rely on water as part of the tax abatement agreement.

“They’re using cooling that doesn’t involve water, and on the electricity side, it’s all off-grid, so it’s not going to affect electric bills or availability,” said Borger.

The project is expected to significantly expand the local tax base over time, benefiting Gray County and Pampa ISD.

Borger says Gray County tax base will grow from $1.6 billion to $4.6 billion in 10 years, and PISD’s tax base will grow by $3 billion beginning immediately.

He believes the project’s timing and impact reflect something greater at work, saying he sees the development as part of God’s plan for Pampa’s future.

For Pampa, the data center represents more than a construction project; it marks a shift toward new industries, skilled careers, and long-term economic growth.