Kevin Canfield
Tulsa World Staff Writer
The City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance adopting the project plan for a proposed $800 million data center and creating an incentive district for the project.
The vote was the last major procedural step for the city in its effort to attract the massive investment in far east Tulsa.
The proposed project would be constructed on approximately 340 acres south and west of the intersection of 11th Street and the Creek Turnpike.
City officials have declined to name the company behind the project, known as Project Anthem, but the legal name of the developer is listed as Atmoss LLC.
The Tax Incentive District approved by councilors on Wednesday would be in place no more than 25 years, and the new property owner would receive an 85% annual exemption on the company’s property tax bill.
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The 15% that would be collected would be estimated to raise a total of more than $36 million over the life of the Tax Incentive District for the city of Tulsa, Wagoner County, Catoosa Public Schools and other affected taxing entities, according to the TID project plan.
The TID would not take effect until construction of the project is substantially completed, on or before December 2030.
Councilors on Wednesday also approved an agreement with the other taxing entities to participate in the TID.
Should the project go forward, construction would begin on or before March 30, 2026, according to a previously approved development agreement.
Multiple speakers questioned the wisdom of the project on Wednesday night, citing concerns about a lack of transparency, the significant tax abatement provided to the developer and the possible ecological impact of the project.
Speaker Susan Frederick reminded councilors that the project is not expected to create many full-time jobs at the site once it is completed.
Once operational, the data center is expected to employ 50 full-time workers, according to planning documents provided to the city.
“For 25 years you’re going (to give an) 85% tax decrease,” said Frederick. “I mean, do the math.”
Spencer Mitchell, director of economic incentives for Partner Tulsa, the city’s economic development arm, told councilors that it is common for a company not to disclose its name when negotiating large projects and that the details of Project Anthem have been discussed at several public meetings.
“A lot of times … naming a company can maybe build some type of political support or political opposition to a certain incentive, some type of decision that they’re kind of waiting to make in terms of site location,” Mitchell said. “And so this is very normal for these types of agreements.”
He also highlighted what he described as the upsides of the project, including a minimum of $62.5 million the company will contribute to a city project fund that will be used to pay for public infrastructure serving properties adjacent to the Project Anthem property.
In addition, Mitchell said, the developer will be responsible for all of the infrastructure on the project site.
Project Anthem would be the first commercial project to break ground at Fair Oaks Industrial Park — a 2,000-acre development area at the heart of the city’s efforts to establish a hub for the advanced mobility industry.
During the four-year construction period, the project is expected to generate up to $3.3 billion in economic activity and more than 5,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, according to planning documents provided to the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.
In the first year of operation, the data center is projected to generate up to $50 million in direct and indirect economic activity.
“I want to thank the council for reaffirming our commitment to this project and further development at this site,” said Mayor G.T. Bynum. “This was a collective and regional effort, and I’m confident in the opportunities that will come from the Fair Oaks Industrial Park.”
Until recently, there had been no public records naming even the legal entity behind Project Anthem, and the attorney representing the developer has said it is too early in the project to disclose the company’s name.
However, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently announced or begun construction elsewhere of several data centers that fit the general description of Project Anthem.
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