TEXARKANA, Texas — January 7, 2026 — The Texarkana City Council is set to vote on two pivotal measures this Monday that could reshape the region’s economic future and protect residents’ utility bills.
At the January 12 regular meeting, council members will decide whether to approve a massive engineering contract for a new aircraft maintenance facility at Texarkana Regional Airport and whether to formally block a new pricing plan from SWEPCO designed for large-scale energy users like cryptocurrency miners.
The Council is expected to authorize a $2.5 million contract with McClelland Engineering to spearhead the site development for a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.
This project, largely funded by a $22 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is a cornerstone of the city’s strategy to transform the airport into a regional aerospace hub. An MRO facility functions like a “garage” for large commercial jets, creating skilled jobs in mechanics and engineering.
“The grant will pay a maximum of $22,000,000,” forcing the city to cover a 5% match split with Texarkana, Arkansas. If approved, McClelland Engineering will finalize designs for the heavy-duty taxiways and utilities needed to support massive aircraft.
In a move to protect residential ratepayers, the Council will vote on a resolution to deny Southwestern Electric Power Company’s (SWEPCO) request for a new “Electric Service – Large Load Contract” tariff.
SWEPCO’s proposal targets new customers requiring over 75 megawatts of power—typically data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. City officials argue that the proposed 12-year contracts are too short compared to the 30-plus-year lifespan of the expensive infrastructure built to serve them.
“If one new large-load customer executes a contract… and ultimately goes bankrupt or cancels… this potentially will leave stranded costs to be recovered from the remaining customers,” city staff warned in a briefing memo.
By voting to deny the rate request now, the City forces the issue to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) in Austin. This procedural maneuver allows the city’s legal coalition, Cities Advocating Reasonable Deregulation (CARD), to intervene and negotiate stronger protections for everyday citizens.
The Council is also expected to repeal its existing panhandling ordinance (Chapter 28, Article VII). City Attorney Jeff Lewis recommended the move following federal court rulings that have struck down similar bans across the country as violations of the First Amendment.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Texarkana City Council to Vote on Major Airport Expansion and Block New Power Rates for Crypto Mines
TEXARKANA, Texas — January 7, 2026 — The Texarkana City Council is set to vote on two pivotal measures this Monday that could reshape the region’s economic future and protect residents’ utility bills.
At the January 12 regular meeting, council members will decide whether to approve a massive engineering contract for a new aircraft maintenance facility at Texarkana Regional Airport and whether to formally block a controversial new pricing plan from SWEPCO designed for large-scale energy users like cryptocurrency miners.
Airport Expansion Takes Flight
The Council is expected to authorize a $2.5 million contract with McClelland Engineering to spearhead the site development for a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.
This project, largely funded by a $22 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is a cornerstone of the city’s strategy to transform the airport into a regional aerospace hub. An MRO facility functions like a “garage” for large commercial jets, creating skilled jobs in mechanics and engineering.
“The grant will pay a maximum of $22,000,000,” forcing the city to cover a 5% match split with Texarkana, Arkansas. If approved, McClelland Engineering will finalize designs for the heavy-duty taxiways and utilities needed to support massive aircraft.
Blocking “Piecemeal” Power Rates
In a move to protect residential ratepayers, the Council will vote on a resolution to deny Southwestern Electric Power Company’s (SWEPCO) request for a new “Electric Service – Large Load Contract” tariff.
SWEPCO’s proposal targets new customers requiring over 75 megawatts of power—typically data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. City officials argue that the proposed 12-year contracts are too short compared to the 30-plus-year lifespan of the expensive infrastructure built to serve them.
“If one new large-load customer executes a contract… and ultimately goes bankrupt or cancels… this potentially will leave stranded costs to be recovered from the remaining customers,” city staff warned in a briefing memo.
By voting to deny the rate request now, the City forces the issue to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) in Austin. This procedural maneuver allows the city’s legal coalition, Cities Advocating Reasonable Deregulation (CARD), to intervene and negotiate stronger protections for everyday citizens.
The Council is also expected to repeal its existing panhandling ordinance (Chapter 28, Article VII). City Attorney Jeff Lewis recommended the move following federal court rulings that have struck down similar bans across the country as violations of the First Amendment.
Meeting Details
- When: Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM
- Where: City Hall Council Chambers, 220 Texas Blvd.
- Public Input: Residents may speak during the “Open Forum” segment by filling out a speaker card prior to the meeting.
Other Business:
A vote to increase firefighter assignment pay by $250/month for the department’s mutual aid coordinator.
Approval of a $304,150 sewer system master plan to model the city’s aging infrastructure.
Recognition of the city as a “Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community”.