Texas Rolls Out Red Carpet for $2.1B Data Center That Employs Just 37 People
Fort Worth is set to host a massive $2.1 billion data center campus developed by Spain-based ACS Group on a 107-acre site near Hicks Field Road. Built in phases through 2034, the project could eventually include five buildings and a dedicated substation, reinforcing Texas’s role as a major digital infrastructure hub. Despite its enormous scale, the campus will employ just 37 full-time workers, all highly skilled and earning at least $150,000 annually—highlighting the modern reality of data centers as capital-intensive but low-employment developments.To secure the investment, Fort Worth approved up to ten years of phased property tax abatements tied to strict investment and employment milestones. City projections still estimate nearly $58 million in tax revenue over a decade, reflecting a calculated trade-off between incentives and long-term fiscal benefit.
This is being built in phases through 2034 so obviously that means multiple of decent paying construction jobs. I have no way to estimate how many jobs that will mean, but it is certainly a boost to a local economy. Still, $2.1B for 37 permanent jobs created is an investment of $56 million per permanent job created. With $58 million in tax revenue over a decade being the estimate of what will be generated towards taxes, it would take a little over 362 years to recoup $2.1 billion in tax revenue at that rate. On paper those statistics alone seems like an insane waste of money. I also like many have a lot of fears about what this can do to the environment and what what it will do to our electricity costs. Time will tell.
Does Minnesota have a Fraud Problem?
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is facing renewed national scrutiny over alleged fraud in state safety net programs after a viral video showed a seemingly inactive daycare facility that had received substantial public funding. The video, released by independent journalist Nick Shirley, intensified criticism from Republicans and officials in the Trump administration, who argue the state failed to adequately prevent or detect abuse. The controversy builds on an existing investigation into Minnesota’s welfare and assistance programs, drawing broader political and public attention.Federal agencies have now escalated their response. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that agents are going door to door at suspected fraud sites in Minneapolis, emphasizing accountability and potential arrests. Meanwhile, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the agency is pausing annual funding to Minnesota during its own fraud investigation. Walz’s office maintains that the state has taken corrective action, including shutting down a high-risk housing program, hiring outside auditors, appointing a program integrity director, and supporting prosecutions. While criticizing the federal response, Walz has stated that anyone found committing fraud should face prison.
Is there really even a story here? I am not really sure. I watched a bit of the video. I am not linking to it because eff Nick Shirley. Nick’s videos have a tendency to be rage bait, low quality drivel. There may be something to this story though. This is certainly being turned into a big attack on Tim Walz. It is not currently clear for what reason they are going after him. I do suppose some see him as a potential Democrat front runner. I certainly don’t think that. I think Tim Walz sucks. He’s a moderate Dem at best. The DNC used him to try to make Kamala look like a more sane choice but it didn’t work.
The first time I ever heard of Tim Walz is when he sicked the National Guard on BLM protestors after George Floyd was murdered by the Minnesota Police. Trump praised him for it. Others criticized him for not doing it fast enough. First impression to me was that Tim Walz was a fascist. Only fascists use the military on their own people. He might have a decent sound byte every once in a while, but I would never vote for him. Seriously F#ck Tim Walz.
Liberal Says ICE was fine until Trump Came Along
In case you were curious about Bluesky liberals, here’s one saying that “ICE was fine when we had a democracy and the rule of law.” I actually see this sentiment constantly. Understand one thing above all else. There is a huge gap between liberals and leftists. Liberals of today are to the right of 1980s Regan Republicans, I kid you not. It’s amazing how far the Overton Window has moved to the right.
Since ICE was formed in 2003, every single administration has broken the previous record for their funding. It doesn’t matter if the administration was Republican or Democrat. Both of our corporate and fascist right wing parties are all about building up the police state and once ICE runs out of “illegals” to pack into concentration camps they are coming for you and I next. Be careful what you are funding.