Energy
Mysterious cryptocurrency co. buys out land around Tesla’s Gigafactory
Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada will soon be joined by Blockchains, LLC in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, with the cryptocurrency firm purchasing 67,125 acres of the 105,000-acre industrial area. Blockchains, LLC’s massive site would be home to its main campus, as well as the company’s other pertinent facilities.
Blockchains, LLC’s purchase of the massive plot of land in the industrial center was confirmed by partner-broker Lance Gilman, who noted that he closed escrow last week on the sale of the land to the cryptocurrency firm. For perspective, Tesla, one of the anchor tenants at the park with its Gigafactory owns nearly 3,000 acres at the center. Google purchased 1,210 acres at the park in 2017. Combined, the two technology giants own a little more than 4,000 acres or roughly 6% of the 67,000 acres being purchased by Blockchains, LLC.
What’s particularly interesting, however, was the fact that the purpose of the land acquisition is shrouded in mystery, as are details for the company itself.
In a statement to The Nevada Independent, Gilman noted that the Blockchains, LLC deal was worth around $175 million. Gilman did not reveal many details about the cryptocurrency firm’s projects in the area, though the TRIC executive teased that the company’s corporate headquarters and software design research center would be built on the site. Overall, the TRIC partner-broker stated that he is quite optimistic about the potential of blockchain technology.
“It has been explained to me that this particular process will revolutionize the globe in a more dramatic way than the internet,” Gilman said.
While very little is currently known about Blockchains, LLC, the company’s website invokes the idea that the mysterious firm is highly dedicated to the development and research of blockchain technology, the backbone of cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Bitcoin. According to the company’s official website, Blockchains, LLC is involved in projects focusing on financial services, software development of distributed applications (DAPPS) for the Ethereum blockchain, and trusted identity solutions.
The company is still new, however, with the company’s name registered in Nevada back in May 2017. Listed in the cryptocurrency firm’s registration is California attorney Jeffrey Berns, who is part of the company that owns the URL blockchains.com. Despite the air of mystery around the company and its massive investment in the TRIC, however, Berns has noted in his LinkedIn profile that the firm plans to stay in “stealth mode” for the time being.
As noted in a report from Nevada Newsmakers, Blockchains, LLC’s land in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center would be part of the Emerald City initiative, which aims to build a city in the massive industrial area. Emerald City would include a man-made lake, a 500-acre town center, hotels, as well as thousands of housing units and apartments. Shopping centers that would be established in the area are expected to showcase Blockchains, LLC’s technology and services.
Gilman credits Tesla as a key driver in the influx of new, progressive companies that have invested in the industrial park in recent years. According to Gilman, the interest of firms such as Blockchain, LLC appears to have been triggered by Tesla’s decision to set up shop in the center.
“When we met Tesla, that put us on an entirely different international platform. And when that platform started to grow, all of a sudden, here came Switch and others and we just had these corporate groups come in here, following Tesla all of a sudden. And so we’ve entered the tech world,” Gilman said, according to a Nevada Newsmakers report.
Currently, the industrial center is dominated by structures from firms such as Tesla, Google, and Switch. Tesla, for one, has selected the area to be the site for its Nevada Gigafactory 1, which manufactures batteries for its fleet of electric vehicles and energy storage units. As we noted in a recent report, Gigafactory 1 appears to be growing from within, with the California-based electric car maker and energy firm not expanding the facility for the last six months. Once Tesla’s Nevada Gigafactory is completed, however, the facility would be the largest building in the world by footprint.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Energy
Tesla Megapack Megafactory in Texas advances with major property sale
Stream Realty Partners announced the sale of Buildings 9 and 10 at the Empire West industrial park, which total 1,655,523 square feet.
Tesla’s planned Megapack factory in Brookshire, Texas has taken a significant step forward, as two massive industrial buildings fully leased to the company were sold to an institutional investor.
In a press release, Stream Realty Partners announced the sale of Buildings 9 and 10 at the Empire West industrial park, which total 1,655,523 square feet. The properties are 100% leased to Tesla under a long-term agreement and were acquired by BGO on behalf of an institutional investor.
The two facilities, located at 100 Empire Boulevard in Brookshire, Texas, will serve as Tesla’s new Megafactory dedicated to manufacturing Megapack battery systems.
According to local filings previously reported, Tesla plans to invest nearly $200 million into the site. The investment includes approximately $44 million in facility upgrades such as electrical, utility, and HVAC improvements, along with roughly $150 million in manufacturing equipment.
Building 9, spanning roughly 1 million square feet, will function as the primary manufacturing floor where Megapacks are assembled. Building 10, covering approximately 600,000 square feet, will be dedicated to warehousing and logistics operations, supporting storage and distribution of completed battery systems.
Waller County Commissioners have approved a 10-year tax abatement agreement with Tesla, offering up to a 60% property-tax reduction if the company meets hiring and investment targets. Tesla has committed to employing at least 375 people by the end of 2026, increasing to 1,500 by the end of 2028, as noted in an Austin County News Online report.
The Brookshire Megafactory will complement Tesla’s Lathrop Megafactory in California and expand U.S. production capacity for the utility-scale energy storage unit. Megapacks are designed to support grid stabilization and renewable-energy integration, a segment that has become one of Tesla’s fastest-growing businesses.
Energy
Tesla meets Giga New York’s Buffalo job target amid political pressures
Giga New York reported more than 3,460 statewide jobs at the end of 2025, meeting the benchmark tied to its dollar-a-year lease.
Tesla has surpassed its job commitments at Giga New York in Buffalo, easing pressure from lawmakers who threatened the company with fines, subsidy clawbacks, and dealership license revocations last year.
The company reported more than 3,460 statewide jobs at the end of 2025, meeting the benchmark tied to its dollar-a-year lease at the state-built facility.
As per an employment report reviewed by local media, Tesla employed 2,399 full-time workers at Gigafactory New York and 1,060 additional employees across the state at the end of 2025. Part-time roles pushed the total headcount of Tesla’s New York staff above the 3,460-job target.
The gains stemmed in part from a new Long Island service center, a Buffalo warehouse, and additional showrooms in White Plains and Staten Island. Tesla also said it has invested $350 million in supercomputing infrastructure at the site and has begun manufacturing solar panels.
Empire State Development CEO Hope Knight said the agency was “very happy” with Giga New York’s progress, as noted in a WXXI report. The current lease runs through 2029, and negotiations over updated terms have included potential adjustments to job requirements and future rent payments.
Some lawmakers remain skeptical, however. Assemblymember Pat Burke questioned whether the reported job figures have been fully verified. State Sen. Patricia Fahy has also continued to sponsor legislation that would revoke Tesla’s company-owned dealership licenses in New York. John Kaehny of Reinvent Albany has argued that the project has not delivered the manufacturing impact originally promised as well.
Knight, for her part, maintained that Empire State Development has been making the best of a difficult situation.
“(Empire State Development) has tried to make the best of a very difficult situation. There hasn’t been another use that has come forward that would replace this one, and so to the extent that we’re in this place, the fact that 2,000 families at (Giga New York) are being supported through the activity of this employer. It’s the best that we can have happen,” the CEO noted.
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