Brazos County commissioners approved an updated tax agreement Aug. 18 for a planned $700 million data and research center at Texas A&M University’s RELLIS Campus. (Karley Cross/Community Impact)
Brazos County commissioners approved an updated tax agreement Aug. 18 for a planned $700 million data and research center at Texas A&M University’s RELLIS Campus.
At a glance
According to agenda material, the agreement replaces the original developer with ThisWay Global Inc. The change comes after a bankruptcy court approved the sale and transfer of the project’s contracts and leases to ThisWay Global in July, per commissioner conversation.
The project is planned on 25 acres at RELLIS and is expected to include a 230,000 square-foot data and research center.
Brazos County commissioners approved a tax abatement over land use at RELLIS, collecting 50% of taxes for the first 10 years of an overall 40-year agreement. (Courtesy Brazos County)
The specifics
A tax abatement is an agreement that lets a property owner pay less in property taxes for a certain period of time.
In this case, the property at RELLIS was previously not subject to county property taxes. Under the new agreement, the $700 million project will become taxable.
Brazos County will receive taxes on 50% of the property’s taxable value for the first 10 years. After that, the county will receive taxes on the full taxable value for the remaining 30 years of the lease.
The discussion
Precinct 2 Commissioner Chuck Konderla said the agreement gives the county a way to bring in new tax revenue from the project while also putting requirements on the developer.
The agreement requires ThisWay Global to follow state laws and certain county requirements for data centers. Those include:
Paying for its own electrical infrastructure
Using water-efficient technology
Reporting electricity and water use to the Public Utility Commission of Texas
The agreement also says the company must follow future state laws related to data centers.
Commissioners also discussed concerns about how the project could affect local water and electricity use.
County Judge Duane Peters said Bryan Texas Utilities previously told the county the project would not affect current customers’ utility rates in the near future.
In clarification, Konderla said ThisWay Global has not agreed to generate its own power, but with future Texas legislation, the company will be held to that.
What else?
Precinct 3 Commissioner Fred Brown said the data center project is going to happen regardless of the city of Bryan or Brazos County’s involvement.
“It’s an A&M project, and we would be foolish to not be a part of it and to not take advantage of the potential taxes that they will pay.”
Commissioners ultimately approved the agreement unanimously.
Also on the agenda
Commissioners took action on several other items Aug. 18, including the proposed property tax rate, the county’s credit card limit and a new career development plan for constables.
County proposes 2026 tax rate: Konderla proposed a tax rate of $0.448474 per $100 of property value as a ceiling for the upcoming budget. The rate can be lowered before it is officially adopted, but the county cannot adopt a higher rate. A public hearing on the proposed budget and tax increase is scheduled for Sept. 1.
County credit card limit increases: Commissioners approved raising the county’s overall U.S. Bank credit card limit to $500,000. Officials said the increase will help the county pay utility bills and other routine expenses more efficiently, including by allowing the county to earn rebates on large utility purchases.
Constables propose career ladder: The four Brazos County constables’ offices presented a proposed career development ladder for their 22 deputy positions. The plan would create a clear path for deputies to advance based on factors such as education, years of service and law enforcement training.
