Carrier eyes DFW for $433 million manufacturing plant as data center business booms

August 25, 2026 - 19:36

Carrier Global is weighing a significant expansion in North Texas, with a potential $433.8 million manufacturing facility on the table for Fort Worth. The company, known for its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, is looking to capitalize on the explosive growth of data centers, which require massive amounts of cooling to keep servers running reliably. A final decision on the project is expected in the near term, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The proposed plant would be located near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a hub that offers logistical advantages for shipping large HVAC units across the country. If approved, the facility would likely produce chillers and other high-capacity cooling equipment specifically designed for commercial and industrial use, not just for data centers but also for hospitals, office towers, and manufacturing sites. The investment would also bring hundreds of skilled jobs to the region, a point that local officials have been keen to highlight in discussions with the company.

Carrier has not made a formal announcement, but the scale of the investment signals a long-term bet on the data center boom. Hyperscale cloud providers and AI companies are building new facilities at a record pace, and the demand for efficient cooling systems has outpaced supply in many markets. Fort Worth has become an attractive location for industrial projects due to its available land, business-friendly tax structure, and access to a skilled workforce. The company is also considering other sites, but the Fort Worth location appears to be the frontrunner.

Industry analysts note that Carrier has been restructuring its portfolio, focusing on core HVAC and refrigeration businesses after divesting other divisions. A new plant in Texas would align with that strategy, giving the company additional manufacturing capacity close to one of the fastest-growing regions for data center construction. The decision timeline is tight, and a public announcement could come within weeks if all conditions are met. For now, local economic development groups are waiting, hopeful that the project will move forward.