Myssie Cardenas-Barajas Appointed to National Association of REALTORS® Data Center Work Group

McAllen-based realtor and property rights advocate Myssie Cardenas-Barajas has been appointed to a data center work group by the National Association of Realtors.

The group reports to NAR’S Land Use, Property Rights and Environment Committee.

Cardenas-Barajas said she is honored to be appointed. She notes that as demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure continues to accelerate, data centers have become a growing focus of public policy discussions nationwide. 

While these facilities play a critical role in supporting technological innovation and economic growth, she said, they also require substantial amounts of land, energy, and water—resources that are increasingly under pressure in many regions of the country.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve on the NAR Data Center Work Group during such a pivotal time,” Cardenas-Barajas said. “Data centers represent both tremendous opportunity and significant responsibility. I look forward to learning from industry experts, engaging in thoughtful discussions about the benefits and challenges these facilities present, and helping develop policy recommendations that encourage innovation and economic growth while ensuring responsible stewardship of our land, energy, and water resources.”

Cardenas-Barajas was first appointed to NAR’s Land Use, Property Rights and Environment Committee in 2022. She was appointed to NAR’s Public Policy Land Use Committee in 2024. She said her continued service at both the national and state levels, combined with extensive professional experience and leadership roles throughout her career, position her as a strong candidate for this appointment.

“The rapid expansion of data centers has sparked vigorous debate among policymakers, industry leaders, environmental advocates, property owners, and local communities. Questions surrounding sustainability, infrastructure capacity, economic development, property rights, and long-term resource management have elevated the issue to a national priority for legislators and elected officials,” an NAR press release stated.

Cardenas-Barajas said that for communities across Texas, including the Rio Grande Valley, the conversation surrounding data centers is particularly relevant. She noted that Texas has emerged as one of the nation's fastest-growing destinations for data center development due to its available land, business-friendly environment, and expanding infrastructure. 

As population growth, industrial expansion, and increasing demands on energy and water resources continue to shape the state's future, decisions regarding where and how data centers are developed will have significant implications for local economies, property owners, infrastructure planning, and long-term resource management, Cardenas-Barajas explained. She said it is important that communities like those in South Texas have a voice in the national discussion as policies are developed.

Cardenas-Barajas said it is important to balance America’s technological future with sustainable development practices that protect communities and preserve resources for future generations.

“As our nation continues to expand its digital infrastructure, it is critical that growth be approached thoughtfully and responsibly,” Cardenas-Barajas said. “The decisions made today will shape the communities, economies, and environmental resources inherited by the next generation. I am committed to helping create policies that support both progress and long-term sustainability.”

Cardenas-Barajas said the data center work group will evaluate emerging issues, trends, and policy considerations related to data center development and provide recommendations to support informed decision-making across the real estate industry and public policy landscape.

"The Rio Grande Valley understands better than most that growth must be balanced with responsible resource management. As South Texas continues to attract investment and development, it is important that our region's perspective is represented in conversations that will shape the future of land use, infrastructure, and economic opportunity across America,” Cardenas-Barajas added.

About Myssie Barajas

Myssie Cardenas-Barajas is a third generation Texas realtor, industry leader, and advocate for property rights, land-use policy, and responsible development. Through her service at both the state and national levels, she has worked to advance policies that strengthen private property rights, support economic growth, and promote sustainable community development. She works under the Brokerage office of Marcus Phipps at Marcus Phipps Real Estate in Harlingen, Texas. She was chair of the Board for Texas Realtors in 2023.

Cardenas-Barajas appointed to national data center work group - Rio Grande Guardian