EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Residents and local leaders are calling on Doña Ana County commissioners to delay a scheduled vote on a $165 billion industrial revenue bond tied to “Project Jupiter,” a proposal to build four data centers and a microgrid in Santa Teresa.
Dozens gathered outside the county government center on Wednesday, Sept. 17, calling on the county to postpone the vote, saying the process has been rushed and lacks transparency.
“There shouldn’t be a rush when we’re talking about a $165 billion decision,” one resident said.
Project Jupiter would be the largest industrial revenue bond ever considered in New Mexico. If approved, county officials say the development would establish a major tech hub along the border, create thousands of temporary construction jobs, and bring at least 750 permanent positions, with a commitment to hire locally.
State Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena, D-Mesilla, urged commissioners to delay the vote for at least 60 days. “If this is a deal we’re ready to sign up for, we should understand what we’re getting into and we should have a respectful process with real community engagement before that vote happens,” she said.
The City of Sunland Park has also expressed concern, unanimously passing a resolution on Sep. 9 formally asking the county to postpone its vote. City leaders cited potential impacts on housing, transportation, and public safety.
“Our city council wants to be informed,” said Sunland Park City Manager Mario Juarez-Infante. “What sort of impacts, positive or negative, could it have on quality of life, on public safety, on housing, and on transportation? Constituents are asking questions the council can’t answer.”
Water has emerged as a central issue; critics argue that data centers of this scale could require large amounts of water in a region that has experienced shortages. County officials counter that Project Jupiter would use a closed-loop cooling system that recycles water and say developers have pledged tens of millions of dollars toward water and wastewater upgrades.
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the bond on Friday, Sep 19.
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