AIDEA industrial and energy district near Houston (possible data centers)
Also called: Houston Industrial Park, ADL 234762, Mat-Su Multi-Use Industrial and Energy Development District
The state wants to hand nearly 20,000 acres of public land near Houston to its economic development agency, AIDEA, for an industrial park. Data centers are one possible use, along with a rail hub and power lines. AIDEA says nothing is decided and no tenants are named. Houston leaders say they were left out.
Where things stand: The state proposed giving about 19,950 acres to AIDEA. Public comments were due in late summer 2026; no final decision found. No data center company has been picked.
🕒 Latest update (Aug 19, 2026): Original public comment deadline in the state notice (news reports say it was later extended).
What we know
- 📍 WhereState land about 2 miles north of Houston (Townships 18N and 19N, Seward Meridian), bordering Willow, Meadow Lakes and Houston near the Parks Highway and Alaska Railroad; a small part is inside Houston city limits, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- 🏢 CompanyAlaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA)
- 🌳 Size19,950 acres
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromAIDEA lists power and gas line corridors as possible uses; no power plan yet.
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Has the state issued its final decision on the land transfer (ADL 234762)? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will any data center company sign on, and how much power and water would it need? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will trails used for mushing, ATVs and snowmachines stay open? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- July 10, 2026The Department of Natural Resources proposed a no-cost transfer of about 19,950 acres of state land to AIDEA. AIDEA's plan lists 'scalable data centers' among possible uses.
- Aug 13, 2026Houston City Council passed two resolutions objecting to how the state handled the transfer. A proposal to ban data centers in the city failed 4-2.
- Aug 19, 2026Original public comment deadline in the state notice (news reports say it was later extended).
Local votes and rules
🚫 Ban
A proposed city law to block data centers inside Houston city limits failed 4-2. Members who voted no said they want to ban data centers through general zoning rules instead. One member said he will propose a long-term pause while those rules are written.
📌 Other
The council voted unanimously against the state's process for moving about 30 square miles of state land near Houston to AIDEA, the state development agency. The land could hold an industrial park with data centers. The council said the city was left out of the decision.
🤝 Agreement with the company
The Assembly voted 6-1 to override the mayor's veto and start a two-year partnership with Terra Energy Center Corp. Borough staff will help Terra find companies to build a data center or other big power user on borough land near Port MacKenzie, Big Lake or the planned West Susitna road. It does not require the borough to sell or lease land. The Assembly first passed it 5-2 on March 2.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- New state proposal could bring data centers to the Mat-Su as part of industrial park · Alaska's News Source (KTUU) · July 16, 2026
- State proposes giving nearly 20,000 acres near Houston to AIDEA · Northern Alaska Environmental Center · July 22, 2026
- 'Zero transparency': Houston officials oppose land transfer process linked to data centers · Mat-Su Sentinel · Aug 18, 2026
- Proposed Land Conveyance to Alaska Industrial Development Export Authority near the city of Houston (ADL 234762) · Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water · July 10, 2026
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