Cipher McLennan

Cipher Digital Inc. is planning a significant data center development in McLennan County, Texas, near Riesel. The company, formerly known as Cipher Mining, is pivoting from cryptomining to focus on AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) data centers. A substantial area of land has been acquired near the Sandy Creek Power Plant, with plans for the facility to be energized around 2028. The exact size and specifications of the data center are still being finalized and will depend on the needs of future tenants, which may include companies like AWS and Fluidstack. Cipher Digital has indicated a commitment to being a good neighbor, proposing town hall meetings to engage with local residents and address concerns regarding potential impacts on resources and community character. The project is expected to contribute significantly to local tax revenues, with an estimated $13 million annually over 10 years. Water for cooling is anticipated to come from treatment solutions for brackish or recycled water, rather than city water.