Texas is positioned to become a leader in the growth of artificial intelligence data centers, according to Ross Perot Jr., chairman of Hillwood and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce board. Speaking at an Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce event, Perot emphasized that West Texas, particularly the Permian Basin, will benefit from an oversupply of natural gas generated by the oil industry.
Perot described the AI-driven changes as “a stunning revolution,” noting that excess natural gas is drawing hundreds of billions in investments for data centers and energy infrastructure. This trend makes Texas the second-largest market for data centers after Virginia.
He expressed optimism about North America’s economic prospects: “North America will dominate the world for the next 100 years,” Perot said. “If we get immigration reform, energy reform and all the energy in North America brought to bear, no one can touch us.”
Perot also discussed his vision behind AllianceTexas, a development that began as a cargo airport 35 years ago and has evolved into a major logistics hub now owned by Fort Worth. The site features diverse facilities including retail spaces and soundstages used by Taylor Sheridan, creator of “Yellowstone.” Sheridan recently filmed scenes from “Landman” at Alliance buildings undergoing conversion into studios with $65 million invested.
“You have a Fort Worth citizen, Taylor Sheridan, and his shows really do resonate with the Texas crowd and the U.S. crowd, and it’s just a fluke we have him,” Perot told real estate students at Texas Christian University this week.
“That’s why I said: ‘This guy generates so much activity. How do we embrace him as a city? How do we have filming here? And where will it go?”
On policy matters, Perot warned that tariffs and overregulation could hinder economic progress in Texas. He suggested that lobbying efforts by the U.S. Chamber influenced President Donald Trump’s decision to pause initial tariff plans for 90 days.
“They know the immigration problem, they know the tariff problem, and they’re all working hard to try to get it fixed,” Perot said, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Backstage, they know it. Onstage, you might get rhetoric, but our job at the chamber is to really work pure data backstage. And we’re trusted by the elected officials. If we tell them something, they’re going to know this isn’t PR spin.”
In other developments around Texas real estate markets:
A luxury home in McKinney with a 6,500-square-foot auto showroom has been put up for auction due to softening demand in North Texas.
Houston’s office sector has seen increased leasing activity for two consecutive quarters.
The ExxonMobil Building in Houston has entered bankruptcy proceedings.
Austin’s $1.6 billion convention center plan faces uncertainty due to potential voter opposition.
San Antonio recorded its largest retail sale in years with an H-E-B-anchored shopping center deal.
