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<h2>Residents in Hood County Consider Incorporation to Address Noise Issues</h2>
<p>HOOD COUNTY — Danny Lakey and his wife often enjoyed serene evenings on their porch, watching the sunset over the grazing cows on their neighbor’s ranch.</p>
<p>When they purchased their log cabin in 2021, they envisioned a peaceful rural lifestyle in Hood County, just southwest of Fort Worth. Lakey affectionately refers to their home as their “personal Cracker Barrel,” noting they have more animals for neighbors than people.</p>
<p>However, since a noisy cryptocurrency facility began operations less than a mile away in 2023, their porch evenings have diminished. Local residents have expressed frustration with the noise, likening it to the sound of an incessant airplane or a lawnmower that never shuts off. According to a county commissioner, it's akin to “sleeping with a leaf blower under your pillow.”</p>
<p>The disruptive noise stems from thousands of fans cooling nearly 60,000 high-powered computers, operational around the clock to mine bitcoins. This facility, part of MARA Holdings (Marathon), comprises a large compound of computer containers situated close to residential areas.</p>
<h2>Community Members Push for City Incorporation</h2>
<p>Residents have repeatedly reached out to the facility to address the noise issue, to little avail. In response to complaints, Marathon constructed a tall soundproofing wall and upgraded some cooling fans. Yet, local measurements indicate the noise levels remain just shy of the state’s noise ordinance threshold.</p>
<p>In a bid to regain control over their environment, residents are pursuing incorporation to establish a city. Lakey and others have gathered enough signatures for a ballot measure to create the city of Mitchell Bend. Should the approximately 250 registered voters pass the measure, the new city would encompass two square miles and house roughly 600 residents.</p>
<h2>Economic Factors and Conflicts</h2>
<p>Forming a city would enable residents to create noise regulations aimed at quieting the $5 billion Bitcoin operation nearby. While they initially sought intervention from county commissioners, they discovered counties lack the authority to set noise limits—such power lies only with the state and municipalities.</p>
<p>As cryptocurrency facilities proliferate across Texas, supported by lower regulations and tax incentives, residents express discontent, recognizing the need for certain protections for their community's peace. Marathon maintains that it contributes significantly to the local economy, emphasizing job creation and tax revenue.</p>
<h2>Upcoming November Vote and Local Sentiment</h2>
<p>The upcoming vote in November has left residents feeling anxious, particularly as they worry about declining property values due to ongoing noise disturbances. Many, like Geraldine Lathers, report experiencing health issues linked to the incessant noise, leading them to support the incorporation despite their reservations about regulations.</p>
<p>Ultimately,, residents seek a compromise that permits businesses to thrive while ensuring their community’s well-being. “You can be here, I don't mind,” Lakey stated. “Just be quiet, be a good neighbor. Act like a good neighbor, and you're welcome to stay.”</p>
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