Nexus Data Center associates withdraw from Hill County talks, judge says

County Judge Shane Brassell announced that associates from the Nexus Data Center project have walked away from negotiations with Hill County and will not be seeking a tax abatement, the court minutes show.

The court held a closed executive session at 9:05 a.m. under Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code to discuss commercial or financial information and economic development negotiations related to a proposed data center near Hubbard. Commissioners reconvened at 9:55 a.m., and Judge Brassell announced there was no action to take as a result of the session.

The topic had been public in recent days: a City of Hillsboro representative told the court that a group called “Go Hillsboro” will host a panel about data centers on April 16 at noon at the Performing Arts Center. During the meeting’s open forum, six members of the public—Jeff Mashburn, Mairi Kaska, Linda Polley, John Blaha, Warren Zimmerman and Jimmy Loftman—raised concerns about the data center, as well as about wind and solar projects and road conditions in Precinct No. 4.

The minutes record the county’s discussion and the executive session invocation under the statutory authority that permits closed deliberations about economic development offers. The court’s minutes do not disclose negotiation details discussed in executive session. Judge Brassell’s public announcement summarized the outcome: the project associates withdrew and no tax abatement request will be pursued by them with the county.

The court adjourned at 9:58 a.m. and later read and approved these minutes on April 24, 2026.