Rhett Bennett of Black Mountain speaks in support of proposed rezoning of 119 acres for development for light industrial use and a data center during a Fort Worth City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.
Amanda McCoy
amccoy@star-telegram.com
The head of an energy consortium looking to build a $10 billion data center in southeast Fort Worth has donated thousands of dollars to City Council members’ campaign accounts.
Black Mountain founder and CEO Rhett Bennet contributed a combined $36,000 to eight City Council members and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker last year, according to a Star-Telegram review of campaign finance records.
His political spending includes:
$12,000 to Parker on Sept. 25.$2,000 to District 2’s Carlos Flores on Aug. 19. Rhett contributed an additional $2,500 on Dec. 31, 2024.$2,000 to District 3’s Michael Crain on Aug. 19.$2,000 to District 4’s Charles Lauersdorf on Aug. 19.$2,000 to District 7’s Macy Hill on Aug. 19.$5,000 to District 8’s Chris Nettles on Jan. 13, 2025 and $5,000 on March 26. Nettle’s latest campaign finance report covering the second half of 2025 wasn’t available.$2,000 to District 9’s Elizabeth Beck on Aug. 19.$2,000 to District 10’s Alan Blaylock on Aug. 19.$2,000 to District 11’s Jeanette Martinez on Aug. 19.
Several council members reached by the Star-Telegram for comment said the funds do not influence their opinions on the project and pending zoning matters, and Bennett says he doesn’t expect the members to vote a certain way.
The city officials initially approved 142 acres for the campus on the corner of Lon Stephenson Road and Forest Hill Drive in January 2025, but have since approved additional zoning requests expanding its scope.
Requests for 42 and 38 acres are before the council, but have been delayed as members seek more information about the projects. Residents have largely opposed the project, raising concerns about its location, possible health issues and questioning its purported economic boosts for the area.
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Fort Worth council members respond to Black Mountain-tied contributions
Six of the eight city council members who accepted Rhett’s donations returned the Star-Telegram’s requests for comment.
Nettles, whose district would house the data center, did not return emails, texts or a phone call. Beck and Blaylock also did not return multiple requests for comment. Hill was not available to comment, according to her office, and did not respond to written questions.
In most cases, the donations account for a small percentage of the council members’ total contributions for 2025, from less than 1% to 15%.
Parker, in a written statement, said she has not had any communication with Bennett about the donation or the data center project. Her statement did not directly address questions about why she accepted the donation or whether it has any effect on her position on the project and zoning requests.
“Cities around the state and country are grappling with data center policy right now and Fort Worth is no different,” Parker said. “As the City of Fort Worth reviews data center proposals, we are actively working with our Water Department and with ERCOT to understand potential strain on resources and to align on any proposed data centers. Led by staff — the City of Fort Worth is working to balance what’s best for the city, residents, growth, and development.”
Flores said he wasn’t aware of the donations made to his campaign until reached by the Star-Telegram.
“I didn’t realize anyone connected to this company had contributed to my campaign until you brought it to my attention,” he said.
The donation will not affect his vote on the zoning requests, Flores said. He was confident that the City Council could fairly assess zoning issues related to the project.
“All of us have the ability to critically consider zoning cases that have come before,” Flores said, later adding, “We try to hear all sides. We listen to the representatives. We listen to the residents, and then we weigh very carefully the balance of information we’re given.”
In a statement, Crain noted that Bennett is a constituent who lives in his council district in Fort Worth. Crain said he receives campaign support from a “wide range of individuals across Fort Worth who believe in my commitment to responsible leadership.”
Crain said he has always been clear that campaign contributions do not influence his decisions on the council.
“I evaluate zoning and development requests based on their merits, the facts presented, and what is in the best interest of Fort Worth as a whole,” he said. “I also rely on the expertise of my colleagues regarding projects in their districts and the perspectives of their constituents.”
Lauersdorf shared a similar perspective: “Like any contribution, it does not buy influence or guarantee support for any project,” he said of the donation in a statement.
“I welcome support from individuals, companies, and organizations that share my vision for Fort Worth as a safe, economically strong city that grows in a thoughtful and responsible way,” he said. “At the end of the day, my decisions are based on what is best for residents and the long-term success of our city, not on who donates to my campaign.”
Martinez said she hasn’t met with anyone from Black Mountain. The contribution doesn’t impact her position on the project and zonig cases.
Black Mountain CEO on why he donated
Bennett said he has no expectations that the donations will sway council members one way or another. His contributions to Fort Worth officials are a “fraction” of his annual political activity and not an emphasis of his, the CEO said.
“However that said, having had a front row seat to our councilmembers in these open forums, I’m ashamed at how they are treated, and I am highly in favor of rewarding and trying to keep the great talent we have on the Council,” he said in a statement. “So my donations to local officials whom I think are doing a great job for our city and region are not to be interpreted as a one off. That’s my right as a citizen and a taxpayer. “
Texas Ethic Commission records show that Bennett has donated to state-level candidates in recent years. Black Mountain Power LLC donated to $500,000 to Gov. Abbott on Nov. 14.
Bennett said he expects local leaders “to make good decisions for the betterment of our city.” Good governance begins with smart elected officials who don’t run off economic opportunity, he said.
“Texas is thriving and growing because we do exactly what I’m doing — attempting to attract world class businesses to join and contribute to our local community and economy,” he said. “I am a longstanding resident of Fort Worth and raising my family here. I am proud to be a part of bringing this state significant investment to our city. We will not be a relevant 21st century city unless we have world class digital infrastructure assets, such as this.“
Staff Writer Emily Holshouser contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Eleanor (Elly) Dearman is a Texas politics and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She’s based in Austin, covering the Legislature and its impact on North Texas. She grew up in Denton and has been a reporter for more than six years.
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