Any time a new industry comes to a small town, leaders and citizens are both excited and curious about impacts on local life and economy. But when the new industry is a global leader in cryptocurrency mining—with pledges of jobs and other community benefits—interest understandably runs even higher.
UK–based Argo Blockchain, which in July broke ground for a 125,000-squarefoot digital mining facility in northern Dickens County, is ready to answer some questions. The firm is inviting the public to an informational program on Monday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Palace Theater in downtown Spur. The event will be preceded by a free barbecue dinner on the grounds next door, catered by TC’s Ponderosa, beginning at 6 p.m.
A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for Dickens County residents of all ages. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Dickens County Courthouse Annex and Spur City Hall during regular business hours.
“Argo executives are looking forward to sharing plans for their enterprise,” said Dickens County Judge Kevin Brendle, who has worked closely with company management during its phases of site selection, real estate acquisition, and logistics. “Dickens County and Spur will also roll out a hometown welcome for our newest corporate citizen.”
Argo CEO Peter Wall will attend personally to meet members of the community, make an informational presentation, discuss job fair opportunities, and field questions. The presentation will also be livestreamed via webcast from the Palace for remote viewing, including on large screens set up in the dinner tent outside to accommodate overflow attendees.
“Argo staff have eagerly anticipated this event and the opportunity to educate the community on what we aim to bring through this important project,” said Wall, who along with vice president of business development Justin Nolan and other staff will be traveling from the company’s office in Ottawa, Canada, for the program. “We look forward to helping residents better understand sustainable blockchain infrastructure and mining and working directly with the community to establish it as a leader in redefining energy for a cleaner, greener, renewable future.”
According to StockMarketWire.com, the firm began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “ARBK” on September 23, 2021. Argo Blockchain has been trading on the London Stock Exchange since August 2018.
Brendle said that the program will include greetings from Spur mayor Louise Jones as well as from Dickens County. Elected officials representing Dickens County’s districts have also been invited. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live at Victorylapclips.com.
For those onsite, there will be drawings for door prizes, including gift certificates redeemable at local merchants.
Music during the outdoor, tented pre-program dinner will be provided by the Chad Maines Band. Attendees may park on the street in any public spaces downtown, including the Spur Community Center and the Dickens County Senior Center, and watch for golf-cart shuttles to the event. Restrooms will be available inside the Palace Theater and portable restrooms will be available on site.
The program itself should last about an hour, said Brendle. It will incorporate an educational presentation on blockchain and bitcoin technologies, as well as renewable energy aspects; an informational presentation on Argo’s physical facility and rollout time frame; and an unveiling of a community project. Families are welcome to bring children.
Dickens County likewise has great expectations for the first major industry to invest in the county in a decade.
“They’re doing it in a big way,” said Brendle.
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