In a bold signal of Texas’ growing role in the national technology infrastructure landscape, Central Texas is seeing an unprecedented surge in data center development that is reshaping its commercial real estate footprint and drawing significant attention from global tech firms. As of mid-December 2025, two massive data center projects in Temple—a city located strategically along Interstate 35—are setting the tone for a new era of high-tech investment in the region.
The first of these projects is a $197 million data center complex backed by Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The facility, which will span approximately 145,000 square feet, is set to break ground this month and is expected to be completed by late 2026. Designed to house infrastructure for cloud computing and artificial intelligence workloads, the facility will bolster Meta’s already vast network of data processing sites across the country. The project is being developed under the name Polmer LLC, a move typical of large tech companies that often use limited liability entities for property acquisition and permitting.
While the Meta-backed project is significant in its own right, it is only part of a broader development trend in the area. Temple has also greenlit a second, even larger data center project—an estimated $700 million campus to be built on more than 700 acres near Bob White Road. This facility, being led by Rowan Digital Infrastructure, is expected to begin construction before the end of 2025. The development, which has received unanimous approval from the Temple City Council, is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026 and will deliver hundreds of construction jobs and dozens of full-time roles once operational.
These projects underscore how data centers—massive, energy-intensive facilities that power the backbone of the internet, cloud services, and artificial intelligence—are becoming central to real estate development in regions that were once known primarily for agriculture or manufacturing. Unlike retail or office space, data centers require access to vast tracts of land, robust power supplies, and high-speed connectivity. Temple’s geographic advantages, including its central location between Austin and Waco, availability of developable land, and access to a stable energy grid, have made it an increasingly attractive location for digital infrastructure investments.
The recent expansion is part of a larger trend playing out across the Lone Star State. Texas already hosts hundreds of data centers, and the demand for more facilities continues to rise. Businesses across industries are increasingly dependent on cloud-based operations and artificial intelligence, both of which require immense data storage and processing capabilities. The boom in AI and enterprise cloud computing has accelerated investment in this real estate segment, as companies seek to future-proof their operations and improve service delivery to clients across North America.
Temple’s local leaders have welcomed these investments, seeing them as catalysts for long-term economic growth. City officials highlight the broader benefits these projects bring, such as increases in the local tax base, infrastructure upgrades, and the attraction of secondary businesses that support the tech ecosystem. These can include everything from cybersecurity firms and fiber network providers to HVAC technicians and data facility maintenance specialists.
Moreover, local colleges and vocational training centers are already exploring partnerships with companies involved in these developments to prepare a skilled workforce that can meet the complex technical demands of data center operations. With job roles ranging from systems engineers to energy technicians, these projects are helping to expand the employment landscape in Temple and surrounding communities.
Despite the economic upside, the expansion of data centers is not without its challenges. Concerns have been raised regarding water and energy usage, especially as multiple large facilities come online within a short timeframe. In Texas, where resource management is an ongoing concern, local governments and developers are working to address these issues through sustainable design practices, including energy-efficient cooling systems and water recycling initiatives. Ensuring that the facilities operate within the limits of environmental sustainability is becoming a top priority for both developers and regulators.
The development of hyperscale data centers also reflects a broader shift in how cities approach economic development. In the past, industrial parks or commercial shopping centers were considered the primary growth engines. Today, digital infrastructure is taking on that role, with long-term leases, high capital investment, and the promise of technological relevance for decades to come. These data facilities often remain in operation for 20 to 30 years, offering a stable and predictable economic base compared to more volatile commercial developments.
As construction crews prepare to break ground on these high-profile projects, Temple is positioning itself as a model for mid-sized American cities that want to compete in the digital economy. With support from city officials, state incentives, and a growing private sector commitment to technological investment, Central Texas is on track to become one of the country’s most important hubs for digital infrastructure in the years ahead.
