Temple, Bell County, Texas

Temple / Bell County — Texas

70/100Low Risk

Improvinghigh confidence

Last updated: 2026-03-29

Thesis

Temple demonstrates an improving trajectory with multiple unanimous approvals, active construction, and $800M Meta investment. Rezoning is required but consistently approved. Only market with "Improving" trajectory.

Four-Dimension Breakdown

How this market scores

Regulatory Risk20/30

Rezoning from AG to PD-LI required for every DC project but consistently approved unanimously (5-0 votes). UDC defines "Data Center (Large)" explicitly. Texas counties cannot impose moratoriums.

Temple UDC Section 5.1CitizenPortal: Temple council approves annexation

Infrastructure Readiness19/25

Oncor partnership with existing Bell County East Switch. New 765 kV transmission line filed. Oncor $36B capital plan (2025-2029). Temple approved water service agreement for DC development.

Rowan press releaseOncor project page: Bell County EastKXXV: Temple council approves water service

Opposition Density17/25

Facebook group "Stop Temple Data Centers" exists (Sarah Royer). 13 speakers opposed a utility service agreement. Concerns focus on water, noise, electricity, property values. No blocking outcomes.

Killeen Daily Herald: Data centers dominate Temple Council meetingCitizenPortal: Temple council approves large annexation

Approval Timeline14/20

Efficient rezoning process. Rowan: announced September 2025, first reading 5-0, construction underway January 2026, operations expected 2027. Separate 269-acre rezoning advancing through P&Z.

Rowan press releaseCitizenPortal: Temple council approves annexation

Evidence

Key findings

Temple UDC defines "Data Center (Large)" as 10,000+ SF facilities for digital processing, transfer, and storage.

Temple UDC Section 5.1

Temple Council voted 5-0 to approve annexation of 706 acres and rezoning for Rowan DC on first reading.

CitizenPortal

Meta invested $800M in hyperscale DC through Polmer LLC on 393 acres.

City of Temple news release

Rowan construction underway on 300MW project spanning 700 acres — largest Texas project.

Rowan press release

Incentives

Available programs

Bell County 75% ad valorem tax abatement for Meta (Polmer LLC)

75% abatement for Years 1-10 on increased taxable value of real and personal property.

Source

Texas Chapter 312 property tax abatements

Over $1B in annual statewide DC subsidies including sales tax exemptions.

Source

Known Risks

No market is risk-free. Here's what to watch.

The credibility of a favorable score depends on honest risk disclosure. These risks are documented in public records.

Rezoning from AG to PD-LI required for every project

Facebook opposition group exists but has not achieved blocking outcomes

13 speakers opposed utility service agreement at one meeting

Oncor interconnection queue has 600+ requests (state level)

Recommendation

Standard process expected. Temple is the only market showing an Improving trajectory, with multiple unanimous approvals and active construction.

Sources

Cited references

primaryTemple UDC Section 5.1

secondaryCitizenPortal: Temple council approves annexation

primaryCity of Temple: Meta announcement

primaryRowan press release: Temple construction

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