Integra Mission Critical says Houston plant reached 863 hires, $6.2M invested since TEZ nomination

Integra Mission Critical told the Houston City Council economic development committee on the evening of the meeting that its newly opened Houston manufacturing campus has outpaced the company’s original job commitment and begun steady production of modular data-center equipment.

The presentation, given by Integra representatives and introduced by the committee chair, said the company has about 863 workers at the Houston facility, has invested $6.2 million of a $10 million local commitment and is producing modular “OptiStack” infrastructure designed to raise data-center density and speed construction.

Why it matters: Houston is positioning itself as a regional hub for data-center equipment manufacturing, which can bring manufacturing jobs and supplier activity to nearby neighborhoods. Council members questioned Integra about local hiring, wages, and the environmental and infrastructure impacts tied to data centers’ energy and water use.

Integra’s presentation outlined the company’s business and local footprint. “We design and build the most advanced infrastructure for data centers in our industry,” said Elena Aftergraff of Integra, describing the company’s work on mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems that support server facilities. Integra’s leadership slide named Brandon McDaniel, Matt Kerner, Tommy Newman and John Kohler as owners and listed Lori Wilcox (CFO), Kevin Desicker (construction), Greg McNeil (CTO), Brian Carter (counsel) and Katie Bridal (CHRO) on its executive team.

The company said its OptiStack product increases equipment density so a single site can deliver the power and cooling capacity equivalent to two traditional facilities; the modular design also shortens build times. “We do a turnkey operation,” Aftergraff said. “If you come and see us, you get the whole thing.”

On local investment and jobs, Integra reported a manufacturing campus of roughly 1,250,000 square feet in Houston and said it committed $10,000,000 to local investment. “So far in the first year we invested 6,200,000. We have another 3,700,000 to go,” Integra said. The firm told the committee it had reached 863 total employees at the Houston facility as of the previous week and noted rapid hiring growth over a short period (the deck recorded 744 employees on Sept. 2, then 844 the following week).

Council members asked about wages and working conditions. Integra said assembly technicians start at roughly $25 an hour and that pay increases for more skilled roles (welders, electricians and other trades) are higher. “We do have opportunities for overtime,” a company representative added, and the facility currently operates two shifts.

Council member Kamen asked about environmental and infrastructure impacts associated with data centers, specifically water and power. Integra described its mechanical and cooling systems as having a low PUE (power usage effectiveness) relative to the industry and said it builds integrated recirculation for cooling water to reduce consumption. “We do actually . . . design our own equipment,” the company said, adding that owners can pair data centers with behind-the-meter natural gas, solar or other sources depending on site conditions.

Members also asked about the role of a prior council action. The chair noted the council had nominated Integra Mission Critical for a Texas Enterprise Zone designation the prior year; Integra said it historically has not appeared before the economic development committee after nomination but that the company’s work justified an update to the committee.

Council members praised the local hiring and training programs Integra described, including a 90-day “buddy” onboarding program, layered training (safety, technical skills, leadership development) and a “gameified” phone-based training track meant to boost engagement and retention. The company said its turnover rate is about one-quarter of the industry average.

The committee asked staff and Integra to follow up with additional detail on the TEZ incentives and the specific dollar value of tax abatements; Integra said the tax benefit helped accelerate hiring but did not provide an exact dollar value during the meeting. Committee staff offered to collect additional payroll and investment data at members’ request.

The economic development committee said it would accept further updates from Integra and city staff if members requested them at future meetings.

Notes: The presentation was introduced by Committee Chair Martha Castex Tatum and accompanied by staff from the mayor’s office of economic development. Integra presenters included Elena Aftergraff and Elena Marshall (director of indirect tax). Council members who asked questions included Council member Kamen, Council member Flickinger and Council member Alcorn.