Pampa, Texas, a community historically known for agriculture, oil, and gas, is positioning itself at the center of America's next energy and data boom by leveraging its abundant wind, sunshine, land, and midstream energy infrastructure. Mayor Mike Borger explained in an interview how these natural assets are attracting data centers, renewable energy projects, and advanced manufacturing to the Panhandle region.
During a conversation on The Building Texas Show, Borger outlined why Pampa is uniquely suited for data-center development, citing grid resilience, renewable energy generation, and proximity to critical gas pipeline networks. He addressed common misconceptions around water usage and infrastructure strain, emphasizing that modern facilities use cooling technologies designed to respect regional constraints. This strategic positioning moves Pampa from catching up to leading national trends in power generation and digital infrastructure.
Beyond industry attraction, Pampa is investing in its people through a $130 million school improvement initiative that includes new facilities and career-technology education. This investment aims to keep graduates in the community with access to high-paying, future-ready careers, reversing decades of out-migration that threatened the city's long-term stability. The full interview with Mayor Mike Borger is available now on YouTube as part of The Building Texas Show.
Quality of life forms another pillar of the city's strategy, with regional events, festivals, and historic music venues tied to Woody Guthrie drawing visitors from across the Panhandle and beyond. Borger refers to Pampa's role as a regional hub—the "Pampaplex"—which supports retail, tourism, and civic life for a population far larger than its borders suggest.
Since taking office in June, Borger has emphasized the importance of unity across city, county, economic development, and chamber organizations, noting that alignment and optimism have been just as critical as capital investment in driving momentum. The episode underscores how legacy towns like Pampa can evolve, attract modern industry, and create new opportunities without losing their identity, demonstrating that Texas's future extends beyond its largest metropolitan areas.
