Angelina County commissioners approved a modest $1,500 allocation from the county’s legal services budget to retain an attorney who will draft a road use agreement with AMP Z Champion Data Center Holdings LLC. The agreement is intended to address the company’s request to close a portion of a nearby road before construction of its proposed data center begins.
Proposed data center and road closure concerns
The AMP Z data center is slated to occupy more than 1,000 acres on the former Southland paper mill site along Highway 103 East. As part of its pre‑construction plan, the developer asked the county to close a segment of Twin Oaks Road and John Kolb Road, which would limit access for residents of Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park to Highway 103.
County Judge Keith Wright explained the impact, saying, “They wouldn’t be able to go to the south all the way to 103.” He emphasized that the county’s priority is to ensure continued access for local families while still supporting the economic benefits the data center could bring.
County’s negotiating position
Judge Wright indicated that the county intends to request that AMP Z reconstruct Twin Oaks Road and John Kolb Road as part of the agreement. In addition, the county wants the developer to cover the cost of any county investments required to maintain or improve the road network.
“We want the company to pay for the county’s investment in the roads,” Wright said, underscoring the principle that private development should not impose a financial burden on taxpayers.
Timeline and next steps
The commissioners did not receive a specific construction start date from AMP Z, and Judge Wright did not disclose how long the county has to finalize the agreement. The attorney hired with the $1,500 budget will work quickly to draft language that protects local access, outlines the developer’s road‑reconstruction obligations, and secures appropriate financial contributions.
Once the draft agreement is completed, it will be presented to the commissioners for review and approval. The county hopes the final document will balance the community’s transportation needs with the developer’s desire to move forward on the data center project.
Community impact
Residents of Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park and surrounding neighborhoods rely on Twin Oaks Road and John Kolb Road for daily travel, school routes, and emergency services. Maintaining these routes is essential for safety and quality of life. By seeking a fair road use agreement, Angelina County aims to safeguard those interests while encouraging responsible economic development.
The data center, once built, is expected to generate jobs and increase tax revenue for the region. The county’s proactive approach seeks to ensure that those benefits do not come at the expense of local infrastructure.
Public response
At this stage, no formal public comments have been recorded. The commissioners plan to hold a public hearing on the agreement once the draft is ready, giving community members an opportunity to voice concerns or support.
Angelina County’s decision reflects a broader trend of local governments carefully negotiating with large‑scale developers to protect resident interests while fostering growth.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
