In a once-quiet rural area of Shackelford County, Texas, the landscape and local economy are rapidly transforming due to a major data center construction project and its accompanying population influx. What was once open farmland is now the site of one of the largest recreational vehicle parks in the country, hosting approximately 2,300 gravel parking spots filled with workers drawn by high-paying jobs at the new facility.

Sam Holt Jr., a former Texas Roadhouse managing partner, and his girlfriend, Stacey Sanford, recently converted Holt’s late father’s house—a small yellow residence on Elmdale Road North—into a convenience store serving the growing community. The store, known as the Elmdale Outpost, opened in response to the demand from laborers who are building the data center operations for Vantage Data Centers, which plans to complete 11 buildings on 1,200 acres by late 2028.

The site has attracted workers from a variety of backgrounds, many living temporarily in the expansive RV park. Laborers, often Latino, earn significantly higher wages than typical for similar jobs, with some reporting annual earnings exceeding $200,000 after taxes, despite long hours and demanding schedules. Construction workers often work shifts of 10 to 14 hours a day for nearly two weeks at a time, with only one day off and no paid vacation. Many use their earnings to support families back home or to pay off debts, with a number planning for early retirement.

Holt and Sanford invested around $75,000 to establish the store, which sells a range of products from snacks and beverages—including Mexican brands like Bimbo, plus beer and liquor—to practical items requested by the workers. They adapted the house to the business by turning a bedroom into a refrigerated “beer cave” and installing a drive-through window. The store serves not only as a retail outlet but also as a community hub, with staff making efforts to get to know customers and provide small gestures like free flavored ice for children.

The opening of the Elmdale Outpost comes amid mixed feelings among local residents. Holt Jr.’s father, Sam Holt Sr., who passed away last December, had lived on the property for nearly a decade and valued the peaceful rural environment. While he opposed alcohol on religious grounds, Holt Jr. believes his father would have supported adapting to the changing circumstances to improve the family’s future.

Some longtime residents have struggled with the rapid changes. Carye Adkins, a local police detective and friend of Holt’s, relocated from the city years ago for rural life but eventually sold his property due to the expansion of the new RV park and data center. Despite his initial opposition, Adkins was among the first customers at the convenience store’s opening.

Business at the Elmdale Outpost fluctuates, with slower weekday mornings but high-volume afternoons and evenings as workers return from shifts. On a recent Wednesday, Holt and Sanford tallied $3,000 in sales, a marked increase from their initial days. While aware that the profitability window may be limited to the completion of data center construction in 2028, they are committed to making the most of the opportunity, working long hours seven days a week.

The development has radically altered the local landscape and economy, providing lucrative short-term employment but also prompting reflection and adaptation from those who call the area home. Holt and Sanford see their store as a way to support the transient workforce and their own family goals, navigating the tensions between rapid economic change and the loss of a former way of life.