Residents in rural Kaufman County, Texas, say they are alarmed by plans for what they believe could become a large, foreign-backed settlement near their homes, accusing local officials of secrecy and a lack of transparency as details slowly emerge.
Concerns surfaced publicly in late January after a Facebook post circulated claiming that a “Geocity” funded by Middle Eastern — specifically Saudi — investors was planned for Kaufman County. According to the post, the development could bring more than 20,000 new residents to the area. While some initially dismissed the claims as rumors, subsequent confirmations from county meetings and local officials have intensified scrutiny.
The controversy traces back to 2022, when Kaufman Solar LLC purchased a large parcel of land in the county. Attention returned to the area after it became known that a separate buyer was seeking to acquire roughly 2,000 acres adjacent to the planned solar farm to build a “sustainable city” in an unincorporated part of the county.
A Kaufman County Commissioners Court meeting on Jan. 20 confirmed that a Dallas-based law firm is representing a buyer seeking approval for three new municipal water districts tied to the proposed development. During the meeting, an attorney identified the prospective developer as SEE Holding, a privately held global investment group headquartered in Dubai that focuses on sustainability and net-zero emissions projects.
Republican Rep. Lance Gooden, whose district includes Kaufman County, told the Daily Caller that the Dubai-based origin of the buyer raises serious concerns.
“The group reached out to me, and I said under no circumstances would we accept any planned community that included mosques or religious buildings or schools,” Gooden said. “If they were from New York and not Dubai, then we likely wouldn’t be concerned, but considering what our neighboring counties have been through, they’re going to have to actively involve the community to get buy-in, and that has yet to happen.”
Gooden added that while Kaufman County could benefit from high-quality development, any proposal must be fully transparent and acceptable to local residents before he would support it.
Residents say they first learned of the project through social media rather than official channels. A source familiar with the situation told the Daily Caller that county officials and school administrators were allegedly aware of the proposal weeks before the public became aware, fueling suspicions that information was deliberately withheld.
The Commissioners Court was originally scheduled to vote Feb. 10 on approving the new water districts. However, that item was pulled from the agenda during the Feb. 3 meeting. County Judge Jakie Allen said the delay was intended to allow the developer to present full plans publicly at a later date.
Judge Allen also stated that the developer has denied plans for a religiously exclusive community and has offered to include deed restrictions barring the construction of mosques on the property.
Despite those assurances, skepticism remains high among residents. One local source said officials appear to be avoiding written communication, relying instead on phone calls, which has deepened distrust.
A Kaufman County resident speaking anonymously said their concerns revolve around three main issues: whether the county’s water supply can sustain three new water districts during drought conditions; the potential cultural and social impact of a large influx of foreign residents in a rural area; and why county officials have appeared reluctant to openly discuss the project.
Those concerns have been heightened by recent controversies in nearby North Texas communities, including disputes surrounding the proposed East Plano Islamic Center development and a viral video from Wylie, Texas, involving an Islamic outreach group interacting with high school students. Wylie ISD later confirmed that district protocols were not followed in that incident.
As Texas communities grapple with rapid growth, immigration, and development pressures, the proposed Kaufman County project has become more contentious, reflecting broader frustrations among residents who say decisions affecting their communities are being made without their input. For now, the future of the sustainable city remains uncertain, pending further disclosures and public hearings.
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They are correct to remain skeptical. One foot in the door and then the door falls.