Ross Perot Jr. Urges Fort Worth Data Center Growth

The business leader argues that data center expansion is essential for local tax revenue and national security.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Data Centers

Ross Perot Jr. Urges Fort Worth Data Center Growth

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Should your local government encourage the construction of new data centers to boost the local economy?

Ross Perot Jr. recently encouraged Fort Worth city officials to support data center development despite a new municipal moratorium. He argues these facilities are vital for tax revenue and maintaining national competitiveness against China.

Why it matters

The conflict highlights the tension between the economic benefits of data centers and the city's caution regarding their rapid expansion. Officials are weighing the local revenue gains against the infrastructure demands of the industry.

Data centers in the Alliance area currently utilize behind-the-meter power from natural gas turbines to maintain operations. Developers are now highlighting closed-loop water systems as a standard for future responsible construction.

The players

Ross Perot Jr.

He is a prominent business leader and real estate developer known for major industrial projects.

Fort Worth City Council

This is the legislative body responsible for city governance and zoning regulations in Fort Worth.

Facebook

This technology company is the top taxpayer in the city of Fort Worth.

Citigroup

This multinational financial services firm has maintained a backup data center at the Alliance facility for 25 years.

The details

Alliance hosts significant data infrastructure for companies including Facebook, Charles Schwab, AIG, and Citigroup, which has operated a backup center there for 25 years. The Fort Worth City Council voted unanimously in August to initiate a 90-day moratorium on new applications for such projects.

August 2026: Fort Worth City Council voted to begin the moratorium process.
October 2026: Ross Perot Jr. addressed the Fort Worth Chamber.
November 10, 2026: The city will hold its first public hearing on the moratorium.
February 16, 2027: Tentative final adoption of the data center moratorium is scheduled.

The Tech Race

The regional data center expansion fits into a broader national effort to secure infrastructure capabilities against international competitors like China. This shift replaces previous localized growth models with a strategy focused on long-term national security and digital sovereignty.

Residents may see changes in the pace of local industrial development and the associated tax revenue impacts for the city. Future job availability at large-scale facilities like those at Alliance could be influenced by the outcome of the city's pending moratorium.

The takeaway

Balancing the rapid growth of digital infrastructure with municipal resource management remains a central challenge for fast-growing regions. Residents should monitor upcoming public hearings to understand how these policies will shape the future industrial landscape.

What happens next

The Fort Worth City Council will hold its first public hearing on the data center moratorium on November 10, 2026, with a tentative final vote scheduled for February 16, 2027.