Fort Worth to vote on tax break agreement for developers of $1.1B data center

The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday, March 31, on a significant tax agreement for a proposed $1.1 billion data center development. Edged Data Centers, a subsidiary of sustainable infrastructure company Endeavor, plans to build the facility near Interstate 20 and Chapin School Road, adjacent to the Veale Ranch development owned by Dallas-based PMB Capital. The proposed deal would grant Edged Data Centers a 50% property tax abatement on its equipment for 10 years. In exchange, the company is required to invest $1.1 billion in the data center's construction and create 50 jobs with an average annual salary of $73,000. While the Fort Worth economic development department projects a net gain of $49.3 million for the city over the agreement's term, the tax break itself would cost the city $18.2 million. However, the project has faced opposition from residents in Fort Worth and nearby Benbrook, particularly those residing in the Markum Ranch, Ventana, and Skyline Ranch developments. Their primary concerns include potential noise pollution, environmental risks, increased traffic, and what they describe as insufficient communication from developers and the city regarding the project. In response, some residents have formed the 2871 Community Coalition, which has presented eight requests to the developers, including disclosures on water usage, an independent noise study, an environmental assessment, and financial transparency. During a March 24 meeting with Edged, PMB Capital, and Fort Worth District 3 Council Member Michael Crain, developers reportedly indicated that they had either already addressed or were not obligated to meet these requests. Council Member Crain, supporting the project, emphasized its potential to enhance residents' quality of life and boost Fort Worth's tax base through commercial investment. The final vote on the economic development package is slated for March 31.