Potter County Weighs Duos Edge AI Proposal for Downtown Amarillo Data Hub
Potter County Commissioners recently discussed a proposal from Duos Edge AI to install a secure, 20-year data center pod on county-owned land near the Santa Fe Building in Amarillo’s downtown. The proposed facility would be a SOC 2-compliant “edge” data center designed to improve broadband reliability across the Texas Panhandle.
The data pod, described as a hardened modular unit similar to a Conex box, aims to serve as a highly secure and redundant internet routing site. The location next to the Santa Fe Building is strategic, as approximately 80% of Panhandle internet traffic is routed through that hub.
Enhancing Infrastructure with Distributed Data Centers
Michael Keough, chief information officer for Region 16 Education Service Center, explained the plan on behalf of Duos Edge AI. The company has already installed a similar pod behind Region 16’s Bell Street headquarters and intends to deploy at least 13 more across regional cities like Dumas, Pampa, Canyon, and Lubbock.
This network of pods would create a distributed, redundant system capable of maintaining connectivity even if local fiber lines are damaged—a frequent problem in rural areas. The goal is to ensure continuous uptime for schools, cities, and businesses throughout the region.
Keough emphasized that compliance with SOC 2 standards is critical to protecting data and attracting national clients. This certification verifies that systems are secure, confidential, and reliable, which could position Amarillo as a competitive location for tech and AI development.
County Officials Seek Fair Compensation and Legal Clarity
While county officials support the infrastructure goals, concerns were raised about fair compensation for the use of public land. Commissioner John Coffee stressed that if a private company profits from county property, there should be a return to taxpayers, even if modest.
Coffee also asked about potential revenue from renting server space within the pod, which could hold up to 18 equipment cabinets. Keough responded that the Amarillo site is not expected to be highly profitable but rather offers intrinsic benefits that enable larger companies to consider Amarillo for operations.
County Judge Nancy Tanner clarified that the land in question was originally gifted to West Texas A&M University for a nursing school project that was later canceled. The property reverted to the county and would be leased, not sold, with plans to maintain parking access for county and city employees.
Legal counsel Scott Brumley noted that state law typically requires county property leases to be handled via public auction, sealed bid, or broker. However, a licensing agreement might be a viable alternative if it includes a justifiable public benefit. Duos Edge AI representatives indicated openness to negotiating terms and will provide a draft agreement in the coming months.
Additional County Measures Address Jail Overcrowding
In related county business, Commissioners approved a new agreement with Lubbock County to house Potter County inmates at $75 per inmate per day. This is part of ongoing efforts to address overcrowding at the Potter County Detention Center.
Commissioner Coffee acknowledged multiple contracts with outside facilities have been necessary to manage jail capacity and underscored the need for a long-term solution.
No final decision was made regarding the Duos Edge AI data center proposal during the meeting. A formal lease or licensing agreement is expected to be presented for approval in the near future.
For professionals involved in real estate and construction, the proposal highlights the emerging intersection of infrastructure development and data technology. Understanding lease agreements, land use history, and compliance standards like SOC 2 will be crucial in projects involving data center installations.
To explore training on AI infrastructure and technology relevant to such projects, consider visiting Complete AI Training for courses designed to build practical skills.
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