‘Very disrespectful’: Acoma Governor criticizes data center project over use of Pueblo of Acoma name
News Clip1:50KRQE·Doña Ana County, NM·4/22/2026
The Governor of Acoma Pueblo, Charles Riley, criticized the developer of a large AI data center in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, for using the Pueblo's name, Akima, without permission. The project, known as Project Jupiter, had created a company called Akima LLC, which Pueblo leaders found disrespectful. The developer, Yaka Growth Infrastructure, has since stated they removed the name and apologized, though the Governor has not yet confirmed this.
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Gov: Acoma Pueblo
A massive AI data center project, named Project Jupiter, currently under construction in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, has been the subject of controversy for months due to environmental concerns.
Recently, the project's developer, Yaka Growth Infrastructure, faced criticism from the Pueblo of Acoma for using the name "Akima" without consent by creating a subsidiary company called Akima LLC. Governor Charles Riley of the Acoma Pueblo expressed that the move was "very disrespectful," highlighting that the company did not understand the cultural significance of the name to the Akima people.
Governor Riley penned an op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal, asserting that no one from the company sought permission to use the name. He emphasized his desire to disassociate the Akima name from a project perceived to pose environmental risks.
Yaka Growth Infrastructure informed News 13 that they have since removed the Akima name from their company and issued an apology, stating they intended no offense. Governor Riley indicated he had not independently verified this information but would be pleased if the company had indeed listened to their concerns.