West Fort Worth Residents — March 31st Vote Is Coming
OUR ROAD.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
OUR VOICE.
Edged Data Centers is proposing a 187-acre campus on the former Veale Ranch land along FM 2871. The Fort Worth City Council votes on the Economic Development Agreement on March 31st. We deserve a seat at the table before that vote.
West Fort Worth neighbors organizing for transparency and smart growth — before the vote.
The Situation
WHAT'S HAPPENING
ON FM 2871
In July 2025, Edged Data Centers purchased 187 acres of the former Veale Ranch property along FM 2871. A Fort Worth City Council vote on the Economic Development Agreement is set for March 31st. Here's the full timeline.
Edged Data Centers Purchases 187 Acres from PMB Capital
Edged Data Centers (EDC), a data center developer, purchased approximately 187 acres of the former Veale Ranch property from PMB Capital. The site sits between I-20 and Aledo Road, east of RM 2871 in west Fort Worth. At the time of purchase, the land was already zoned Medium Industrial and designated as an "Industrial Growth Center" in the City of Fort Worth's Future Land Use Plan.
Data Center Campus Plans Emerge
EDC begins advancing plans for a data center campus on the Veale Ranch property. The proposal calls for single-story buildings across the site. EDC announces it will build its own dedicated electrical substation on the property — an interconnection approved by ERCOT — rather than pulling from existing neighborhood infrastructure. The project is projected to employ approximately 50 people at full buildout.
Community Begins to Learn About the Project
West Fort Worth residents near RM 2871 begin hearing about the proposed data center campus — largely through word of mouth and social media, not through formal community notification from the city or the developer. Many neighbors report learning about the project's scale and timeline only after plans were well advanced. The 2871 Community Coalition forms to ensure residents have accurate information and a voice in the process.
Fort Worth Report Covers Resident Concerns
The Fort Worth Report publishes coverage of residents frustrated with energy companies and seeking details about data centers' environmental footprint in the region. The story reflects a broader pattern across Texas: data center development is moving faster than community engagement processes. West Fort Worth neighbors begin organizing in earnest.
City Council Work Session — EDA Financial Terms Revealed
The City of Fort Worth holds a Council Work Session presenting the Economic Development Agreement terms. The EDA as presented includes: a phased $1.1B minimum investment, 50 full-time jobs at an average minimum salary of $73,000, a 30% small business construction goal, and a 10-year, 50% abatement on business personal property (BPP) taxes — estimated at $18.2M in total incentives. The City projects $49.3M in net new tax revenue over 10 years. Critically, the City's own presentation describes energy and water "best practices" as commitments still "to be negotiated" — they are not yet binding.
City Council Votes on Economic Development Agreement
The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to vote on the final EDA with EDC Fort Worth LLC. The current agreement covers investment, jobs, salary minimums, and a BPP tax abatement — but as of the March 3 work session, it contains no binding noise limits, no lighting or setback standards, no community liaison provisions, no environmental baseline study requirement, and no construction traffic management plan. Energy and water best practices remain unfinalized. This vote is the last opportunity for the community to demand these protections be written in.
The Window for Community Input Is Open — but Narrow
The March 31st vote is the last significant leverage point before the project moves forward under its existing entitlements. The 2871 Community Coalition is not asking the Council to reject the project. We are asking for community meetings before the vote, stronger EDA provisions, and long-term accountability mechanisms. This is the moment when organized constituent voices carry the most weight.
The Issues That Matter
WHY THIS MATTERS
We approach this with facts, not fear. Some concerns about this project are well-founded. Others deserve honest answers. Here is what our community is watching closely — and what the EDA must address.
Neighborhood Character
The Veale Ranch land has defined the open, western feel of this part of Fort Worth for generations. Residents near the site did not anticipate development at this scale or intensity. The 2871 Community Coalition is calling for binding design standards — setbacks, screening, lighting controls, and landscaping buffers — written into the EDA before the vote. What gets built here will shape west Fort Worth for decades.
Noise — Generators & Equipment
No binding noise limits appear in the publicly available EDA terms. The community has not received specific decibel commitments, generator testing schedules, or monitoring requirements. Our coalition is calling for legally enforceable noise limits measured at the property line, defined testing windows that protect residential nighttime hours, and independent third-party monitoring — written into the EDA, not offered as informal assurances.
Power Grid & Reliability
A new Oncor substation is proposed on-site, with ERCOT approval confirmed. What remains unclear is how this infrastructure will affect grid reliability for existing neighborhoods during construction and early operation. The community has received limited public detail on load impacts to surrounding circuits or long-term expansion scenarios. Our coalition is calling for full transparency — including a public report on grid integration — before and after the project goes live.
Water Use — The Real Numbers
EDC claims their cooling technology will use less water than a comparable residential development — and that may be true at full operation. But the City's own March 3rd EDA presentation describes energy and water "best practices" as commitments still "to be negotiated." They are not yet binding. Startup and commissioning water demands have not been disclosed publicly. Until these practices are written into the EDA, no water commitment is enforceable.
Property Values
Residents near the Veale Ranch site did not anticipate development at this scale or intensity. A 187-acre industrial campus introduces real unknowns around noise, lighting, and visual impact that are difficult to quantify before construction. Our coalition is calling for the strongest possible design standards, setbacks, and screening requirements written into the EDA as enforceable commitments — not aspirational guidelines.
Traffic — Construction vs. Operations
Operational traffic at full buildout will be modest — approximately 50 employees. The construction phase is the concern. A project of this scale — 187 acres, multi-year build — will generate significant truck traffic on RM 2871 and surrounding roads. Our coalition is demanding an enforceable construction traffic management plan that protects school zones, limits haul hours, and establishes clear remediation if residential streets are damaged.
Honest Assessment
WHAT'S STILL
YOURS TO SHAPE
We believe honesty about what is and isn't negotiable is essential to effective action. The project is coming — the question is what conditions and protections the City Council attaches to it before March 31st.
✓Still Open — EDA Can Require These
The Economic Development Agreement is a negotiated contract. These protections can still be written in — but only if Council hears from constituents.
- 1Energy and water "best practices" — the City's own March 3rd presentation describes these as commitments still "to be negotiated." They are not yet binding in the EDA.
- 2Binding, independently verifiable noise limits — including generator testing frequency, decibel limits at the property line, and nighttime restrictions. None appear in the current agreement.
- 3Lighting design standards that minimize light spillover onto adjacent residential properties — absent from the current EDA
- 4Screening, landscaping buffers, and setback requirements — absent from the current EDA
- 5A requirement for an independent environmental baseline study before any construction begins
- 6A formal community liaison committee with standing to raise issues throughout construction and long-term operation
- 7An annual public accountability report confirming EDC is meeting all EDA commitments
- 8A construction traffic management plan protecting school routes and residential streets near the site
—Already Decided
We believe in being honest. These elements are settled — energy is better spent on the conditions column to the left.
- The 187-acre Veale Ranch property has been purchased by Edged Data Centers — the land transaction closed in July 2025
- The site is already zoned Medium Industrial — a rezoning fight is not on the table
- Fort Worth's Future Land Use Plan designates this area as an "Industrial Growth Center" — the city anticipated industrial use here
- ERCOT has approved a proposed Oncor substation on-site — the power infrastructure path is set
- The EDA financial framework is set: $1.1B minimum investment across two phases, 50 jobs at $73K average salary, 30% small business construction goal, and a 10-year 50% abatement on business personal property taxes only
- The City projects $49.3M in net new tax revenue over 10 years and an $18.2M total incentive value — the Council work session on these terms occurred March 3, 2026
Our Position
WHAT WE'RE
ASKING FOR
We are asking City Council to negotiate the strongest possible Economic Development Agreement — one that includes real community input, binding protections, and genuine long-term accountability. These six asks are specific, reasonable, and achievable before March 31st.
Community Meetings Before the March 31st Vote
We are asking the City Council to delay the EDA vote until at least one properly noticed community meeting has been held for west Fort Worth residents near the Veale Ranch site. Neighbors deserve the opportunity to ask questions, review the agreement, and have their concerns formally entered into the public record — before the vote, not after.
Binding Noise Commitments with Independent Verification
EDC has stated that backup generators will run only during testing and at levels below city requirements. We are asking that this commitment be written into the EDA as a binding, enforceable provision — with defined testing schedules, decibel limits measured at the property line, and a third-party verification process that does not rely solely on self-reporting.
Stronger Lighting, Screening & Setback Standards
The EDA should require specific, measurable standards for perimeter lighting (including limits on light spillover onto adjacent residential areas), landscaping buffers, and setbacks from the nearest homes. These are the design elements that most directly determine how this campus affects the neighborhoods surrounding it.
An Independent Environmental Baseline Study
Before construction begins, an independent environmental baseline study should document existing conditions — air quality, noise levels, stormwater patterns — near the site. This gives our community a factual basis for evaluating impacts during and after construction, and creates accountability that goes beyond developer self-assessments.
A Formal Community Liaison Committee
We are asking the EDA to establish a formal community liaison committee with appointed resident representatives who have standing to receive regular project updates, raise concerns during construction, and communicate directly with EDC and the city throughout the project's operation. Not a one-time hearing — an ongoing relationship.
Long-Term Accountability Provisions
The EDA should include annual public reporting requirements confirming that EDC is meeting all agreed commitments — on noise, water use, employment, local business participation, and community engagement. The $1.1 billion investment commitment is only as good as the verification mechanism behind it.
The Most Important Thing You Can Do Right Now
TAKE ACTION
BEFORE MARCH 31ST
Council members track constituent contacts carefully. A personal email from a constituent carries more weight than any petition. It takes two minutes. We've written the email — you just need to send it.
Mark Your Calendar
March 31, 2026 — 11:00 A.M.
City Council Chamber, City Hall — 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76102
This is the vote on the Economic Development Agreement with Edged Data Centers. Your presence and your council member's inbox matters.
Find Your Council Member
First, find your specific district council member — a personal email from a constituent in their district carries far more weight than a generic contact.
Find Your Council Member →Copy & Send the Email
Then paste this pre-written email into a new message to your council member.
Subject Line
FM 2871 Data Center — Request for Community Protections Before March 31st Vote
Dear Council Member, I am a west Fort Worth resident writing about the Economic Development Agreement with Edged Data Centers (EDC) scheduled for the March 31st City Council meeting. Our community is asking the Council to put the following protections in place before any vote is taken: 1. Hold at least one community meeting for west Fort Worth residents near the Veale Ranch site before March 31st, with proper advance notice. 2. Include binding noise commitments with independent verification, including generator testing limits, frequency, and enforceable decibel standards at the property line. 3. Adopt stronger lighting, screening, and setback standards to protect nearby neighborhoods from light pollution, visual impact, and proximity concerns. 4. Require an independent environmental baseline study prior to construction, so pre-construction conditions are clearly documented and measurable over time. 5. Establish a formal community liaison committee to ensure ongoing communication between EDC, the City, and nearby residents throughout construction and operations. 6. Include long-term accountability provisions, such as annual public reporting and enforceable mechanisms to ensure commitments are met over time. The 2871 Community Coalition supports responsible economic development. However, this project is being considered without sufficient safeguards or meaningful community input. These steps are reasonable, achievable, and necessary to protect the surrounding neighborhoods. Thank you for your service to Fort Worth. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Neighborhood]
Share With Neighbors
The more residents who contact council before March 31st, the stronger the signal. Every neighbor counts.
Attend the Council Meeting
March 31, 2026 • 11:00 A.M.
City Council Chamber, City Hall, 100 Fort Worth Trail. Showing up — even just to sign a speaker card — sends a message.
See March 31st on City CalendarJoin the Coalition
Sign up for updates as the March 31st vote approaches. We send only what matters — no noise.
Sign Up BelowWho Decides
WHO TO
CONTACT
The March 31st City Council vote on the Edged Data Centers Economic Development Agreement is the key decision point. These are the people with the authority to strengthen the agreement — and they are your elected representatives.
MARCH 31ST IS THE DEADLINE
Once the Economic Development Agreement is approved, the terms are set. Contact your council member now — before the vote — to ask for community meetings and stronger EDA provisions.
Fort Worth City Council
Your District Council Member
Fort Worth City Council
Find your specific council district at Find Your Council Member — your direct representative is the most important contact. A personal email from a constituent in their district carries the most weight.
Mayor's Office
City of Fort Worth
Written correspondence to the Mayor is logged and shared with full Council. Multiple letters on the same issue signal organized constituent concern.
City Manager's Office
Public Comment & Constituent Services
Formal written comments submitted here enter the permanent public record and are referenced in staff reports before Council votes.
Planning & Development
Planning & Development Department
Development Review Division
Request the Economic Development Agreement case file and all public documents related to the Edged Data Centers / Veale Ranch project. Public records requests are your right.
Economic Development Office
City of Fort Worth
This office negotiates Economic Development Agreements. Ask for the current draft EDA and any community engagement plan associated with the Veale Ranch project.
State & County
Tarrant County Commissioners Court
Tarrant County
County commissioners have authority over roads and infrastructure affecting unincorporated areas adjacent to the project site.
Our Commitment
OUR COMMUNITY
VISION
The 2871 Community Coalition is not an anti-development organization. We recognize that the Veale Ranch site is zoned Medium Industrial and designated as an Industrial Growth Center. We accept that some form of large-scale development here was always part of Fort Worth's long-range plan.
What we are asking for is a development that is done with this community, not around it. The Economic Development Agreement is a negotiated contract — and contracts can reflect high standards or minimum ones. We want the highest ones possible.
Binding noise commitments. Genuine screening and setbacks. A community liaison with real standing. An accountability mechanism that outlasts the ribbon-cutting. These are reasonable asks for a $1.1 billion project — and they are achievable before March 31st if enough neighbors speak up.
West Fort Worth deserves to be at the table — not just notified afterward.
Your Questions, Answered Honestly
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
We answer these with facts, not fear. Some concerns about this project have straightforward answers. Others are legitimate and deserve binding commitments. Here's what we know.
HAVE A QUESTION NOT ANSWERED HERE?
We'll do our best to get you an accurate, honest answer.
Ask Us DirectlyDo Your Own Research
RESOURCES &
FURTHER READING
We encourage every neighbor to read broadly and draw their own conclusions. These are credible sources covering data center development, its local and regional impacts, and the Texas context specifically.
Stay Connected — The Vote Is March 31st
JOIN THE
COALITION
Sign up for updates as the March 31st City Council vote on the Edged Data Centers Economic Development Agreement approaches. We email only when something important happens — no noise, no spam.
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