Back in April, a Colorado-based bitcoin mining company announced they would be expanding its operations to Corsicana, Texas, in efforts to use enough power that could light up to 200,000 homes.

As one of the country’s largest bitcoin (BTC) miners, Riot Blockchain (RIOT) currently operates a 400 MW facility in Rockdale, Texas, revealing that they were in the process of developing a 265-acre site for a digital crypto mining operation, which is expected to open in Corsicana in July 2023.

Lighting the city of Corsicana up

While the company says it will eventually have enough power to light 200,000 homes, the first phase of the facility will use about 400 MW of power, which is enough electricity to power around 80,000 Corsicana homes at “peak capacity.”

“Upon completion of the expansion, Riot’s developed capacity will total 1.7 GW, establishing the company among the largest bitcoin mining operations globally,” said Jason Les, CEO of Riot. “Riot’s ability to source such a significant expansion opportunity in Texas exemplifies the company’s partnership-driven approach with all stakeholders, including the company’s business partners, ERCOT, and all levels of government, to commit to sustainable economic development.”

The company says that the first 400 MW phase alone is expected to bring about 270 jobs to the area. Currently, Riot Blockchain operates a mining facility about 50 miles northeast of Austin in Rockdale, dubbed Whinstone, which has a total power capacity of 750 MW. It is believed to be the single-largest facility, by capacity, dedicated to bitcoin mining in North America.

The city of Arlington’s Priority Power Management will reportedly be managing the site development, utility interconnection, power purchase agreements, and power load…