Data Center Revolt Bus Tour Stops in Texas; Efforts to Slow Development Could Slam the Brakes on Jobs, Investment and Transformational Local Benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Edge Project (AEP), a coalition of nearly two dozen domestic organizations, highlighted the economic and community benefits artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure investment can deliver across Texas as the Data Center Revolt Bus Tour brings renewed attention to the debate.
As communities weigh concerns around energy, infrastructure and local impacts, AEP is urging policymakers and residents to consider what responsible development can provide, including skilled-trade jobs, new investment, a stronger local tax base and infrastructure improvements.
“Texas communities should ask hard questions and demand clear protections,” said Doug Kelly, CEO of AEP. “But stopping responsible data center development would also mean losing skilled-trade jobs, local contracts, tax revenue and major infrastructure investments. Texas can preserve its communities while requiring these projects to deliver real and lasting local benefits.”
Local Benefits of AI Infrastructure and Data Center Investments in Texas
- Statewide economic impact: Data centers contributed approximately $65 billion to state gross domestic product in 2024.
- Free training for skilled-trade jobs: Meta recently announced a free job training program that promises a “fast-track to a long-term career in a skilled trade,” which will include Texas as a pilot location for 2026. Graduates earn both the industry-recognized National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) credential and an America’s Workforce Certificate, both designed to travel with the worker across employers and industry sectors.
- Local community benefits: Across its Texas data center communities, Meta has provided more than $7.7 million in direct funding to schools and nonprofits, including more than $5.2 million through grants in the Fort Worth area and more than $1.7 million through grants in the Temple area.
- Strengthening critical infrastructure: Google is investing $40 billion through 2027 to expand its Texas cloud and AI infrastructure and has contracted for more than 6,200 MW of new energy generation and capacity. Microsoft’s multibillion-dollar Pecos campus will add approximately 2 GW of data center capacity and fund the new generation and grid upgrades required to serve the facility.
America’s AI Leadership is Also at Stake
- China is aggressively expanding its AI infrastructure. China is targeting a $1.4 trillion AI industry by 2030,including a $295 billion construction plan over five years to build a nationwide network of AI data centers.
- China’s energy capacity is accelerating its AI buildout. China generates twice as much electricity as the United States and aims to double its data center capacity by 2030.
- Beijing is working to shape global AI standards. China is creating an international AI body headquartered in Shanghai to help shape global AI rules.
- The technology gap is narrowing. The performance gap between leading U.S. and Chinese AI models has narrowed to approximately 2.7 percent, while China’s AI models account for 41 percent of downloads, passing U.S. models outright.
Learn more by viewing the Texas state fact sheet here.
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About the American Edge Project
The American Edge Project (AEP) is a coalition of domestic organizations representing a cross-section of U.S. innovators who are dedicated to telling the story about technology’s positive influence on America’s economy and the vital role innovation plays in our society. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, former U.S. Representative Chris Carney, and former Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chairman Bradley A. Smith are directors of AEP. AEP’s National Security Advisory Board is comprised of Former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend and former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell. Former U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) serve as co-chairs of the project’s Economic Advisory Board. Former U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and former U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) serve as co-chairs of the project’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board.