Meta defends El Paso data center citing jobs, clean energy plans

Meta, Facebook's parent company, announced that the upcoming data center is an investment in El Paso in an effort to fight what they are calling bad publicity. On Thursday, during the 2026 Global Border Summit, hosted by the Borderplex Alliance and held at the Hotel Paso del Norte in Downtown El Paso, Jon Barela, the CEO of the Borderplex Alliance and Gary Demasi, the vice president of data center development at Meta, addressed what Barela called "misinformation" and "bad data" after several local groups have expressed their opposition to the Meta data center being built near U.S. Highway 54 and Stan Roberts Sr. Avenue in Northeast El Paso. Barela urged supporters to engage elected officials and back what he called "game-changing economic development initiatives." "This is a golden opportunity, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, hope, opportunity for our people," Barela said. So, what are the developments? Demasi said first of all, construction so far in the center has employed around 1,500 workers and is expected to support over 4,000 workers in total. Then, once the center is up and running, Demasi said it will be run by 300 full-time employees. They also spoke about how the investment could boost the local workforce. Demasi described it as a new workforce development effort in partnership with El Paso College Schools, including a “500,000-couple grant” and plans to launch its annual Data Center Community Action Grants Program, which will provide grants to schools and nonprofits for projects that use technology for community benefit and improve STEM education. Regarding the issue of energy, which has been a contentious subject, Demasi said the data center's annual electricity use will be covered by “100% by new, clean, and renewable energy projects” paid by Meta, adding that the cost will not be passed to customers. Demasi, possibly referring to the McCloud facility, a $473 million gas-powered plant, El Paso Electric proposed to power the data center; however, natural gas is a fossil fuel, not a renewable source of energy. On the topic of water, Demasi said Meta will restore 200% of the water it consumes and highlighted initiatives to bring clean running water to communities that have historically lacked those services in El Paso, something that Meta's director of data center community and economic development, Bradley Davis, had said back in October of 2025. Demasi also announced two new water restoration projects that he said will provide irrigation technology to farmers in the Borderland to help them save energy and reduce costs, while restoring millions of gallons of water to the local watershed through enhanced irrigation practices. Demasi also announced a $25,000 grant to El Paso Water, designed to help residents struggling to pay their water bills. STORY: https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/meta-facebook-to-make-surprise-announcement-at-event-in-downtown-el-paso-texas-tx-epelectric-water-epwater-electric-borderplex-alliance # Hit the subscribe button to stay up-to-date on the latest news, and turn on the notifications to get alerted when the big stories break as we bring them to you live! For all the full stories seen here, go to KFOXTV.com. Follow KFOX14 on our other social media pages for more photos, videos and reports: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KFOXTV Twitter: https://twitter.com/KFOX14 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kfox14news/ If you see something newsworthy happen, or you just witness something incredible, hilarious or adorable, you can send your videos, photos and news tips to KFOXTV.com/chimein. We love sharing our favorites on KFOXTV.com, our social media and our broadcasts! You can also email a news tips, or call our newsroom. Email: elpaso-assignmentsdesk@sbgtv.com Call the Newsroom: 915-845-5369 _______________ KFOX14 is an El Paso-based station and a FOX Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates programs or provides sales services to nearly 200 television stations in 86 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches close to 40% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.