I want to take a moment to talk about something that continues to come up in our community conversations: data centers, NDAs, executive sessions, and the frustration around what feels like a lot of unknowns.
I just spent several days in Washington, DC at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. I know there are always a few voices who criticize any time I travel, claiming it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars. The reality is this is where mayors from across the country sit down and talk through the same challenges we are facing right now. Not hypotheticals. Real issues with real consequences for our communities.
One of the most discussed topics at the conference was data centers.
What I learned is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some states and cities are doing this well and seeing positive outcomes. Others moved too fast, without protections in place, and their residents are now paying higher utility costs or dealing with strained infrastructure. Hearing directly from mayors living with those decisions was eye-opening.
One example that really stood out was what’s happening in Tennessee right now. Their legislature is considering a bill that would require data center developers to pay the full cost of the infrastructure needed to support their projects. That includes upgrades to utilities and protections to ensure existing residents and businesses are not left footing the bill through higher electric rates. It also adds transparency and accountability for utility providers.
That was an important reminder for me that cities can only do so much on their own. States play a major role in setting the rules of the road. And what happens in one community doesn’t stay contained there. We all share the same finite resources, especially water and power, across South Texas.
Here’s where things stand locally.
There is a lot of speculation out there, and I understand why people are uneasy. Some data centers that have been mentioned publicly are not within city limits at this point. Others that are interested in Harlingen have not approached the City at all. That creates a lot of noise, a lot of assumptions, and very few confirmed facts.
As for NDAs and executive sessions, I hear the frustration. These tools are part of how cities are allowed to receive information and understand complex projects before any decisions are made. They are not about secrecy for secrecy’s sake. Transparency matters to me, and I believe trust is built by walking people through the process, not shutting conversations down.
What the conference reinforced is that waiting until something lands on our doorstep is not responsible leadership.
I’m continuing to listen to community concerns and separating what is known from what is speculation. I’m working on a local ordinance to ensure that if a project ever comes before the City, we have protections in place. I’m also working to visit other communities that are already living with data centers so I can understand the real-world impacts firsthand.
I’m not sitting around doing nothing.
My job is to ask hard questions before decisions are made. To learn from communities that got it right and those that wish they had slowed down. To advocate for policies, locally and at the state level, that ensure developers pay their fair share and residents are protected.
I don’t claim to have all the answers yet. Anyone who says they do isn’t being honest. But I am doing the work, gathering facts, and making sure that if and when decisions come before us, Harlingen is informed, protected, and part of a much bigger conversation.
I’m back home in my beautiful Harlingen, where it is not 9° outside, and I’m reminded why this work matters. These conversations, even the hard ones, are about protecting this place we all love.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was penned by Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda. It first appeared on Sepulveda's Facebook page.
