Residents in a small community in Hood County, Texas, were unsuccessful in their attempt to form a new municipality named "Mitchell Bend." The effort was primarily driven by the desire to gain regulatory power over a nearby Bitcoin mining facility operated by MARA (Marathon Digital Holdings) that has been generating excessive noise.
Key Details of the Vote and Conflict
- Voter Outcome: The proposal to incorporate Mitchell Bend, a small, two-square-mile community of about 600 people, failed with only 38% of the 138 voters supporting the initiative.
- The Grievance: For approximately three years, locals have complained about the loud noise emanating from MARA's facility, which houses around 60,000 Bitcoin miners. Residents report suffering from sleepless nights, headaches, and hearing problems due to the disturbance.
- MARA's Response: MARA has taken steps to mitigate the issue, including expanding a 24-foot noise-blocking wall and transitioning two-thirds of its cooling fans to a quieter liquid cooling system. However, residents claim the noise remains a significant problem.
- Legal Action: Before the vote, MARA filed a lawsuit to block the incorporation, arguing that the creation of a new municipality would harm its operations and potentially tax it out of business. The request to block the vote was rejected.
- Company Satisfaction: Following the vote's failure, a MARA spokesperson expressed satisfaction, stating that "Hood County voters saw through the sham incorporation effort and rejected it at the ballot box."
- Residents Vow to Continue: Despite the setback, local residents confirmed they will not give up. Hood resident Danny Lakey stated they will "continue to do what we can to not let industry take over Hood County," suggesting they will pursue other avenues, having previously failed in legal actions against MARA over noise violations.
This local conflict highlights the ongoing tension between rapidly expanding industrial-scale Bitcoin mining operations and the communities they are located near, an issue also seen in other states like Arkansas.
November 2025, Cryptoniteuae