The Dallas Morning NewsPower, pipes and profit in Texas: private equity finds rich veins in data infrastructure

The AI-driven data center boom is playing out as both a high-speed sprint and a long-term marathon—especially in the middle market. While billion-dollar hyperscale deals dominate headlines, much of the real opportunity lies with middle market companies providing the specialized services and infrastructure that keep data centers running 24/7. From power and cooling to mechanical and electrical systems, these behind-the-scenes players are seeing rapid growth and increased private equity interest. As demand for digital infrastructure accelerates, the middle market is emerging as a critical—and highly investable—engine of the AI economy.