Data Center Debate Expands Beyond Benbrook as Communities Push Back.

Mar 21, 2026 1:13 PM

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BENBROOK, TX — What started as a local concern in Benbrook and Fort Worth is part of a much larger conversation playing out across Texas and the country.

Communities from North Texas to Central Texas, including areas around Waco and Lacy Lakeview, are raising similar questions about proposed data center developments.

At the center of the discussion are concerns about how quickly projects move through approvals, how much water and energy they require, and whether the promised economic benefits truly reach the community.

According to shared tracking efforts, more than 400 data center projects are either proposed or active across the United States. In Texas alone, dozens of sites are under consideration, including a large-scale project near Elm Mott tied to a proposed 925-megawatt facility spanning hundreds of acres.

For residents trying to keep up, new tools are emerging to help make sense of it all. One such resource, https://poweredbywho.com, allows users to track projects across Texas, follow permit updates, and see how local and state leaders are responding.

The site also highlights a broader trend. Some communities have successfully challenged or delayed projects after raising concerns about infrastructure strain and long-term impact. Others are still in the early stages of learning what these developments could mean for their neighborhoods.

Back in Benbrook, the conversation continues to evolve. What is clear is that residents are not alone in asking questions. Across the state, communities are weighing growth against sustainability and deciding what kind of development fits their future.