To accommodate the large numbers of temporary laborers required for constructing AI data centers, developers are turning more frequently to temporary housing communities often referred to as man camps. These camps originally gained popularity by providing lodging for workers in isolated oil field operations.

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For instance, a Bitcoin mining site in the rural area of Dickens County, Texas, is being transformed into a data center with a capacity of 1.6 gigawatts. Reports indicate that the workers there reside in gray housing units equipped with amenities such as a gym, laundromat, game rooms, and a cafeteria that offers steaks grilled on request.

A firm named Target Hospitality has secured several contracts, collectively valued at $132 million, to construct and manage the camp in Dickens County. This facility has the potential to eventually accommodate over 1,000 workers. Target Hospitality views the current surge in U.S. data center construction as its most promising avenue for growth. Troy Schrenk, the company’s chief commercial officer, has characterized this opportunity as “the largest, most actionable pipeline I’ve ever seen.”

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Additionally, Target Hospitality is the owner of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, a facility that detains families under the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Legal documents have raised concerns about conditions at the center, alleging issues such as food contaminated with worms and mold, as well as a lack of appropriate accommodations for children with allergies or special dietary needs.