Ara Partners has completed the acquisition of a majority-controlling stake in Centric Fiber, marking a significant expansion of its infrastructure portfolio as the firm continues to target investments aligned with industrial decarbonization. The deal brings Ara Partners back into partnership with Centric Fiber’s leadership team, following a previous collaboration from 2018 to 2021. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Centric Fiber, based in Houston, has built a strong presence in the bulk fiber-to-the-home sector across the southern United States. The company delivers contracted high-speed internet services to residents in large master planned single-family communities, working closely with major developers and homebuilders. Its current footprint spans Texas, Florida, and Arizona.
Ara Partners will provide additional capital through its Ara Infrastructure platform to accelerate the execution of Centric Fiber’s growing project pipeline and sizable backlog. The firm also intends to support further expansion opportunities as demand for high-performance residential connectivity continues to rise.
Fiber-optic networks are considered one of the most energy-efficient forms of digital infrastructure, with estimates that they consume up to 90 percent less energy than cable or coaxial systems. Increasing fiber deployment is seen as a meaningful contributor to lowering the carbon intensity of the rapidly expanding digital economy. Ara Partners highlighted that this acquisition aligns with its strategy of building durable and efficient infrastructure assets that support long-term decarbonization.
Legal and financial advisors on the transaction included Kirkland & Ellis LLP and RBC Capital Markets for Ara Partners, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Guggenheim Securities, LLC for Centric Fiber.
Ara Partners, founded in 2017, invests across industrial and manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy efficiency and green fuels, and food and agriculture. Operating from Houston, Boston, Washington D.C., and Dublin, the firm reported approximately $6.6 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025.
KEY QUOTES:
“We believe that low-carbon infrastructure will be critical in enabling the unconstrained growth of the digital economy. Fiber stands out as a practical solution due to its substantial energy efficiency gains over legacy systems and ability to deliver future-ready connectivity. Centric Fiber’s infrastructure-friendly model and deep growth pipeline make it a strong fit with Ara’s builder-oriented approach.”
George Yong, Partner and Co-Head of Ara Infrastructure
“We are at a pivotal time in the digital revolution, and we believe that Centric Fiber is uniquely positioned to meet the growing connectivity needs of American communities in a future-proof and energy efficient manner. We are thrilled to join forces once again with Ara Partners and look forward to realizing our shared vision of the future.”
Robert Barnwell, CEO of Centric Fiber
