CITY OF BRENHAM RESPONDS TO CONCERNS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY PROJECT
The City of Brenham is addressing concerns from residents about a large technology project planned in the southwest part of town.
Citizens are sharing their thoughts ahead of a vote tomorrow (Thursday) by the Brenham City Council to possibly create a reinvestment zone for commercial tax phase-in incentive for Viridien, formerly CGG, who wishes to establish a hub at 2602 Longwood Drive. The project is slated to include an administration building and up to three data center buildings.
Worries presented by community members include noise and the resources needed to support the facility, particularly water and electricity.
The City of Brenham issued a release late Tuesday to offer a timeline and other information on the project, with Mayor Atwood Kenjura providing additional context to KWHI.
In its release, the city identified Viridien as a technology company that uses powerful computers to solve complex problems across multiple industries. It said the project is built for Viridien’s own research and technology work and “is not a public data storage warehouse, a cloud storage site, or related to cryptocurrency or Bitcoin mining.”
The city’s initial discussions with Viridien began in April 2022, with an official land sale for roughly 20 acres closing in July 2025. The original site considered was at FM 332 and FM 389, but according to Kenjura, the location changed to address noise concerns. The new site on Longwood Drive will be located near Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s model “Eco Home”.
Additionally, per Kenjura, the city initially told the company it would not work to bring the facility to Brenham, given the large amount of water needed to cool the equipment in facilities like these. The city’s release said while the city will provide standard water service for the property, this operation was designed to use “significantly less water than many traditional data centers” and will have “advanced technology that greatly reduces overall water demand.”
The city said that the project will not be connected to the city’s electric utilities, as Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will handle electric service. Kenjura added that the company is planning to provide $20 million to assist in upgrading Bluebonnet’s capacity to support the development, which he likened as equivalent to what ten Wal-Marts would use in electricity.
In the release, Economic Development Director Teresa Rosales said the project has gone through multiple publicly-authorized actions, and all negotiations followed established public sector processes. After the land sale, coordination continued on infrastructure, fire protection, and incentive discussions, including meetings with engineering consultants and state officials regarding eligibility for economic development programs.
Kenjura said in the release that the city understands the concern that comes when people hear the term “data center”, but the label “does not accurately describe the full scope or purpose of this company’s operations.” He stressed that the project was “not rushed, not hidden, and not done behind closed doors.”
Tomorrow’s city council meeting will allow for a public hearing and a vote on designating the Viridien property as a reinvestment zone, which itself does not approve a tax phase-in agreement, as that action would occur at a later meeting.
The city said a tax phase-in is different than a tax abatement in that the property taxes are gradually phased in over time, rather than eliminated outright. The city also said the agenda item is not a vote on whether the facility is coming to Brenham, as the land sale has already occurred.
The city council’s meeting tomorrow begins at 1 p.m. and will be held at Brenham City Hall. Representatives from Viridien and Bluebonnet Electric will attend. Click here to view the agenda packet for the meeting.
The full release from the city can be seen below.
Full press release from the City of Brenham:
When a new project enters a community, especially one described with a term like “data center,” it’s understandable that questions—and concerns—follow. Over the past several days, many residents have reached out, shared posts, and asked for clarity. We recognize the level of public interest and concerns, and want to provide a clear, factual explanation of the project, the company involved, and the extensive public process. This project didn’t appear overnight. It has taken place over more than three years, moving step by step through the same processes used for any significant development in our community. The timeline, approvals, and negotiations were conducted through the usual public boards, legal contracts, and standard economic development processes.
From the beginning, we approached this project with one guiding principle: protect Brenham’s residents, infrastructure, and resources. “We understand the concern that comes when people hear the term 'data center,” said Atwood Kenjura. “But I want to be very clear: this project was not rushed, not hidden, and not done behind closed doors. Every step followed the same transparent procedures we use for all major economic development projects.”
Correcting the Misinformation
One of the most significant sources of confusion has been the repeated description of the project as “a data center.” The company involved, Viridien (formerly CGG), is a technology company that uses powerful computers to solve complex problems across industries such as energy, engineering, and scientific research.
While computers and data are part of what they do, this project is not a public data storage warehouse, a cloud storage site, or related to cryptocurrency or Bitcoin mining. The facility is built for Viridien’s own research and technology work, not for storing personal data or operating digital currency.
We worked carefully and thoroughly to protect residents and City infrastructure. The facility is being built for a specific purpose and must meet strict safety and regulatory requirements at the local, state, and federal levels. This includes detailed reviews for fire safety, electrical systems, and environmental protection, including water and electricity.
It’s also important for residents to know:
- As with any development in Brenham, the City will provide standard water service for the property. However, the facility has been designed to use significantly less water than many traditional data facilities. Unlike those that rely on water-consumptive cooling systems, this uses advanced technology that greatly reduces overall water demand.
- It will not be connected to the City’s electric utility. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will provide electric service to the facility.
Nothing is allowed to move forward unless it meets these standards, and we have gone above and beyond to make sure the project is reviewed responsibly and safely. “It’s important that we separate fact from assumption,” Mayor Kenjura said. “The term ‘data center’ is being used broadly, but that label does not accurately describe the full scope or purpose of this company’s operations.” He continued, “This facility will not use the City’s electric utility services. They fall under Bluebonnet Electric.”
The Full Story and Timeline
The City and the Brenham Community Development Corporation (BCDC) began discussions with Viridien in April 2022. From that point forward, the project moved through a series of publicly authorized actions, negotiations, and contract milestones.
2022 — Initial Discussion
April 2022
Communication between Viridien and the City of Brenham/BCDC began regarding the land purchase at 332/389 (the Gurrech Tract).
2023 — Further Discussion & Negotiation
June 2023
Viridien opted to change and purchase the current location on Longwood Drive.
July 6, 2023
BCDC authorized its President to begin negotiations.
August 8, 2023
BCDC reaffirmed authorization to negotiate.
September 28, 2023
An option agreement was drafted for a Longwood Drive location.
November 2, 2023
BCDC authorized the sale of property with conditions: non-refundable option consideration, construction timeframe extended from 18 to 36 months
2024 — Contract Development & Due Diligence
April 2, 2024
BCDC updated on restrictive covenant (deed restriction) discussions.
August 12, 2024
Option consideration officially received.
November 2024
The company requested additional acreage; a new option agreement was created.
2025 — Final Agreements & Infrastructure Coordination
February 19, 2025
Fully executed purchase contract received.
June 24, 2025
Tour of the company’s Houston facility with Bluebonnet Electric.
July 8, 2025
The sale of land officially closed.
Post-Sale to Date
August–September 2025
Coordination with project managers regarding fire protection and infrastructure.
October–November 2025
Incentive discussions, financial analysis, and state-level eligibility review.
November 2025
Viridien was informed that they did not qualify for certain state incentives.
January 2026
City Council agenda item with a possible vote designating the Viridien property as a reinvestment zone (January 8, 2026; 1:00 PM)
Following the land sale, coordination continued on infrastructure, fire protection, and incentive discussions, including meetings with engineering consultants and state officials regarding eligibility for economic-development programs.
City officials recognize that residents may be surprised to learn about the project now. “Economic development projects don’t always attract attention until people hear a label that sparks concern,” Teresa Rosales, Economic Development Director, said. “That doesn’t mean the process was hidden—it means the public conversation is now catching up, and we welcome that conversation. All negotiations followed established public-sector processes.” She continued, “From July 2023 through July 2025, the project went through multiple publicly authorized actions, negotiations, and contract milestones—each one requiring approvals, documentation, and oversight. These actions included property negotiations, option agreements, site evaluations, and infrastructure coordination, all handled through established public-sector processes.”
What’s next?
The January 8, 2026, City Council agenda item is simply the first step in a standard process used for many economic development projects. It allows the City to hold a public hearing and consider designating the Viridien property as a reinvestment zone. This action does not approve a tax phase-in agreement. If approved, it only allows the City Council to consider a possible tax phase-in agreement at a later meeting on January 22. Under City policy, this is called a tax phase-in, not a tax abatement, meaning taxes are gradually phased in over time rather than eliminated. This agenda item is not a vote on whether the facility is coming to Brenham. The land sale has already occurred following a long, public process. The City wants to ensure there is no additional confusion about the purpose of the agenda item. “Transparency doesn’t stop once questions arise—it starts again,” Mayor Kenjura said. “Our responsibility is to give citizens facts, context, and clarity so they can form opinions based on information, not fear or false information.”
Representatives from Viridien and Bluebonnet Electric will attend the City Council Meeting on Thursday, January 8 at 1:00 PM at City Hall in the City Council Chambers.