Developer behind $10B Fort Worth data center ‘considering’ Parker County site
Black Mountain, a Fort Worth-based developer, is considering a new data center site in Parker County, Texas, after purchasing over 2,000 acres near Weatherford. This follows Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approval for Black Mountain's subsidiary, Fort Worth Power Core LLC, to operate natural gas turbines at the site. However, Weatherford officials rejected annexing the land for a data center and confirmed data centers would remain disallowed within the city limits due to resident concerns.
Fort Worth-based Black Mountain, an energy consortium, is exploring a potential data center development in Parker County, Texas, following its acquisition of over 2,000 acres just outside Weatherford city limits. The company, also engaged in a $10 billion data center project in Fort Worth, is considering the new site located roughly seven miles northeast of downtown Weatherford. Furthering development plans, Fort Worth Power Core LLC, led by Black Mountain CEO Rhett Bennett, received approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in April 2025 to operate five natural gas turbines at 501 Pearson Ranch Road. These turbines are designated to provide "backup/bridge power for a new data center."
However, the proposed development has encountered local pushback. Weatherford City Manager James Hotopp confirmed that after discussions with Black Mountain in early 2025, the city decided against annexing the land for a data center, deeming it not in the city’s best interest. In January, the Weatherford city council opted not to vote on incorporating data centers into its zoning code, citing "concern from residents" and declaring, in a Jan. 16 statement, that "data centers will remain NOT ALLOWED in Weatherford." Bennett commented via email that Weatherford "did not tell us they don’t want us in the city," a claim countered by Hotopp, who denied any city effort to attract Black Mountain for a data center. Hotopp also expressed surprise and "concern" regarding the TCEQ application for gas turbines, stating he was previously unaware of it.