Doña Ana County officials have approved financing for a $165 billion AI data center, sparking debate among residents over economic benefits versus environmental concerns.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. —
Officials in Doña Ana County have approved financing for a $165 billion AI data center, known as Project Jupiter, near the U.S.-Mexico border in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, amid mixed reactions from residents.
The purpose of the data campus, spearheaded by Austin-based Borderplex Digital Assets, is AI training. Supporters said it would create thousands of temporary and permanent jobs, boosting Southern New Mexico's economy. According to a county presentation, the project will bring 800 permanent jobs and 2,500 construction jobs over three years.
Administrators, IT workers and technicians are expected to earn between $75,000 and $100,000 annually. It will be funded by industrial revenue bonds, repaying $165 billion to the county over 30 years.
However, opponents raised concerns about water usage and pollution, arguing these issues outweigh the economic benefits.
Sunland Park City Manager Mario Juarez-Infante expressed uncertainty about water usage for cooling the plant, stating, "That's really why it's incumbent upon us to make sure we're making informed decisions." He added, "With that level of financial investment for New Mexico, we should be able to prove the benefit to the community. We shouldn't have to be rushing to a decision."
A county presentation indicated the center would use 20,000 gallons of water a day, equivalent to 50 houses. Many residents and stakeholders agreed with Juarez-Infante, lining up for public comment for hours, some wearing "Stop Project Jupiter" shirts.
Yasmine Al-Harbi with the City of Sunland Park said, "We are not here to oppose growth. We are here to ensure that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is done correctly."
Others argued the economic impact is too significant to ignore, with one person stating, "We owe this to our community; we want to bring our members back home."
County officials anticipated opposition at the meeting, posting signs warning against taking signs inside or causing disruption. After a motion to delay the vote by 30 days failed, some attendees expressed frustration, with one person shouting "Sellouts!" and another calling for order.
Despite claims of censorship on social media, KOAT legal expert John Day explained that such restrictions are a normal practice at public meetings.
"The government's not restricting what you can say and how you say it in terms of your speech. They're saying you can't do things that are going to disrupt other people's ability to listen to the speech and engage in speech," Day said.
The posted signs did not deter dozens of people from lining up for public comment, voicing both opposition and support for Project Jupiter.