Fort Worth delays vote on tax break for $1.1B data center as concerns grow

The Fort Worth City Council has postponed a crucial vote on a tax incentive package for Edged Data Centers, a subsidiary of Endeavor, regarding a proposed $1.1 billion AI data center in west Fort Worth. The decision, made on March 31, followed growing concerns and confusion among local residents, who expressed fears about the project's impact on their neighborhoods and the city's broader strategy for data center development. Edged Data Centers plans to build the facility near Interstate 20 and Chapin School Road, within the Veale Ranch development. The proposed agreement included a 10-year, 50% property tax break on equipment, contingent on a $1.1 billion investment and the creation of 50 jobs with an average salary of $73,000. District 3 Council Member Michael Crain, representing the project's area, pushed for additional requirements, including compliance with city noise ordinances, water limits based on a Kimley-Horn study, annual compliance reports, and adherence to lighting and setback rules. Edged must also maintain a public website for project updates, a key demand from residents. Community opposition, notably from the 2871 Community Coalition, centered on issues of notification, transparency, and the potential for long-term impacts like noise and strain on infrastructure. Residents argued that the city's 300-foot notification radius for rezoning was insufficient, leading to a lack of awareness about the project's scale. They also called for a citywide data center overlay district with strict noise standards and independent monitoring. Taylor Baird, a partner at PMB Capital, which owns Veale Ranch, defended the project's viability and noted its prior approval for connecting to the state's power grid, including provisions for self-sufficiency during emergencies as mandated by Senate Bill 6. The council ultimately voted to postpone the tax agreement vote until May 12, allowing more time to address community questions and concerns.