The Fort Worth City Council approved an amended site plan for a proposed $10 billion data center project located near Forest Hill and Everman on Aug. 25. The development, situated on the city's southeast edge, includes four buildings and a dedicated substation.
While the project was initially associated with the Fort Worth-based energy consortium Black Mountain, Todd Workman, a representative for the Virginia-based developer EdgeConneX, clarified to council members that EdgeConneX is the actual developer and operator. Workman stated that the company is not a crypto-mining operation or a speculative developer, and noted that outreach efforts have begun to involve local students in data center careers.
The council vote was postponed initially due to confusion and hesitation among residents and some council members. Zoning cases for the land had been approved by the council in 2025. During the meeting, dozens of residents spoke against the project, citing concerns over high power usage, environmental impacts, and potential health risks.
Sue Weston, owner of the historic Weston Gardens adjacent to the site, argued that the city was moving too fast and that sufficient environmental assessments had not been completed. A sign held up during her remarks described data centers as energy vampires.
Some speakers also referenced unverified social media claims regarding livestock health near data centers, a story Clayton Tucker, a Texas Agriculture Commissioner candidate, said he was told by a cattle farmer but which has not been independently verified.
Supporters of the project also attended the meeting. Helen Collins Epps, a pastor and co-founder of the Morning Star Prayer Center, said she paid for a bus to transport over 50 people from churches and community groups to voice their support. Epps stated that she decided to support Black Mountain after prayer and community discussion.
