Community pushback slows Fort Worth data center tax abatement
News Clip2:22CBS TEXAS·Fort Worth, Tarrant County, TX·3/31/2026
Community members in Fort Worth, Texas, successfully pushed city leaders to delay a vote on a proposed tax abatement for a large data center project. Residents expressed concerns about the rapid development of data centers and called for stricter regulations. This temporary victory allows for further council discussion and potential new protections.
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Gov: Fort Worth City Hall, Fort Worth City Council
On a Tuesday, community organizers in Fort Worth, Texas, gathered at City Hall to voice strong opposition against a proposed tax abatement for a new data center. The project, planned for southwest Fort Worth, is an estimated $1.1 billion development spanning 186 acres near I-20, proposed by an unnamed Connecticut-based developer. While the company stated the project would create 50 new, well-paying jobs, residents expressed concerns that Fort Worth's current standards were not designed for large-scale data centers and advocated for stricter regulations.
After over an hour and a half of public comment, residents achieved a temporary victory when a motion for the tax abatement was withdrawn by a council member, rescheduling the vote for the following month. This move was seen by many as a rare moment where "the little guy" was heard, allowing for a more robust council discussion about the abatement and potential new safeguards. Community members are now hoping to use this delay to advocate for more ordinances that will hold data centers accountable.