government
Rural North Texas counties trying to regulate data centers face legal threats
By Pablo Arauz Peña | KERA News at Fort Worth Report
· June 17, 2026
· 4 min read
Tensions flared at a recent public meeting in Hood County that devolved into a shouting match between county attorney Matthew Mills and residents who oppose data centers. "How much did y'all get paid?" asked a resident. "Not a dime," Mills said. "You're accusing people of being crooks!" That day com
Key takeaway " That day commissioners were voting to approve another data center project called Comanche Circle without conditions after the developer threatened to sue.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The tensions in Hood County over data center development have significant implications for the broader North Texas region, particularly in terms of balancing economic growth with environmental and quality-of-life concerns. As the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex continues to expand, rural counties like Hood and Somervell are facing increasing pressure to accommodate large-scale projects like data centers. The potential impacts on local resources, such as water and electricity, are a major concern for residents who fear that unchecked development could harm the area's natural beauty and tourist attractions, like Dinosaur Valley State Park. The fact that companies are using lawsuits to push developments forward raises questions about the ability of local governments to regulate these projects and protect the interests of their constituents. As this issue plays out, it will be important to watch how Tarrant County and other local governments in the region respond to similar development pressures, and whether they will be able to find a balance between economic growth and environmental protection.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Tensions flared at a recent public meeting in Hood County that devolved into a shouting match between county attorney Matthew Mills and residents who oppose data centers. "How much did y'all get paid?" asked a resident. "Not a dime," Mills said. "You're accusing people of being crooks!" That day com
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Pablo Arauz Peña | KERA News at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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