Snyder resident presents 509-signature petition seeking 12-month moratorium, study of data center developments

Scott Strong, a Snyder resident and administrator of a local Facebook group, told the Scurry County Commissioner Court he delivered a binder and an online petition with 509 signatures demanding the court place a 12-month moratorium and a resource-impact study on data center developments, infrastructure agreements and tax abatements.

"We are not here to block responsible growth but we are here to demand that our local infrastructure and resources are legally protected before any permanent contracts are finalized," Strong said, asking the court to add a moratorium item to the June agenda. He said he had not received answers to previous inquiries and urged county leaders to respond to constituent questions.

Strong said his Facebook group, which he described as having roughly 7,400–7,500 participants, generated the petition and that signers provided first and last names so their support could be verified. He told commissioners he had emailed Commissioner McGallen and sought follow-up; the court was told that Commissioner Mitchell had responded by email.

A commissioner invited Strong to meet with staff after the court recessed and reminded him that the court could not take formal action on non-agenda items during that session. The court did not take immediate action on the petition; Strong said he will return for the June voting session to press for a formal agenda item.

The public comment and petition focused on local resource concerns tied to data center construction—water, housing and electricity—but the court did not schedule a study or moratorium during the session. The comment period closed with the presiding official offering to meet privately with Strong following the meeting.