Policy Proposal: Digital Equity + Food Security in South Dallas

Rodney LaBruce for Congress – TX-30

The Problem:

South Dallas suffers from chronic underinvestment, high unemployment, and persistent food deserts. Meanwhile, Dallas is becoming a national hub for data centers and digital infrastructure, but these developments often bypass our communities or worse, push them out.

The Vision:

We can repurpose abandoned buildings—schools, grocery stores, municipal lots—into modern data centers that serve as economic engines for South Dallas without displacing the people who live there.And we can use the revenue, partnerships, and development momentum to finally address our food access crisis.

Policy Pillars:

1. Digital Equity Hubs

• Repurpose vacant buildings into secure, clean data centers.
• Require Community Benefit Agreements that guarantee:
• Local hiring & apprenticeships
• Paid internships for youth
• Utility grid upgrades that benefit neighborhoods
• Partner with companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft through incentive packages tied to community investment.

2. Gentrification Defense Plan

• Use Community Land Trusts (CLTs) to keep land in the hands of the community.
• Offer property tax freezes or subsidies for long-term residents near development zones.
• Require anti-displacement impact assessments before permits are approved.
• Prioritize ownership and equity stakes for Black and Latino residents in all redevelopment efforts.

3. Food Security Initiatives

• Use data center tax revenue to fund:
• Grocery co-ops and small grocer incentives
• Mobile market programs
• Urban farms powered by renewable energy on adjacent lots
• Mandate that every digital equity zone includes a fresh food plan—a blueprint for how nearby residents will gain better food access through the investment.
• Create a “Fiber & Food” grant program where tech companies match contributions to local food security orgs.

Bottom Line:

We’re not just building data centers—we’re building power, jobs, and dignity into our neighborhoods, not over them. South Dallas deserves both digital opportunity and food justice—and with smart policy, we can deliver both.