Fort Worth may soon become a hub for global tech infrastructure as ACS Group plans data center campus with $1.7 billion in business personal property value
Fort Worth, Texas – In a significant move to bolster its infrastructure footprint, ACS Infrastructure Development Inc. is poised to present its proposal for a new data center campus to the Fort Worth City Council. The discussion, scheduled for April 8, revolves around potential economic incentives that could facilitate this major development project.
ACS Infrastructure Development, a subsidiary of the global ACS Group, is eyeing a 107-acre greenfield site off Hicks Field Road in Council District 7 for this ambitious project. The ACS Group, renowned for its extensive operations across more than 25 countries and employing over 135,000 workers globally, has a solid presence in Fort Worth. Previous collaborations through Turner Construction, another subsidiary, have led to significant local projects including the development of Terminal F at DFW Airport, Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus, and the expansion of TCU football stadium.
The proposed data center, intended to be rolled out in phases, marks a substantial investment in the local economy. The initial phase of the data center is targeted for completion by December 31, 2031, with a subsequent phase expected by the end of 2034. While the precise design and scale of the campus are still under review, the plans include a privately owned substation to support the facility’s operations.
The economic implications of the data center are notable, with ACS Infrastructure proposing a capital investment upwards of $2 billion. This figure includes at least $481 million dedicated to real property improvements and a staggering $1.7 billion allocated to business personal property across all phases of the project.
From an employment perspective, the data center is expected to generate 37 full-time positions upon reaching full operational capacity, offering an average annual salary of at least $150,000 per job. Furthermore, ACS Infrastructure is committed to investing 15% of the hard construction costs in business equity firms, ensuring a share of the economic benefits with local businesses.
In return for its substantial investment, ACS Infrastructure is seeking a decade-long economic development program agreement with the city. The proposed terms include an initial incentive of 35% of the incremental business personal property tax generated by the first phase, escalating to 70% following the completion of the second phase. These incentive payments, however, are contingent upon the company meeting specific performance benchmarks. Failure to comply with these could lead to a reduction or even a complete withdrawal of the incentives.
The forthcoming City Council meeting will be crucial in determining whether Fort Worth will green-light these incentives, potentially paving the way for a significant new chapter in the city’s economic development. This decision not only affects the immediate landscape of Council District 7 but also positions Fort Worth as a central player in the tech infrastructure industry in Texas and beyond.
