Texas residents chant 'vote them out' about controversial data center vote
El Paso's City Council voted 5 to 3 to uphold a controversial tax incentive agreement with Meta for a new data center, despite significant public opposition. The deal grants Meta up to $550 million in tax incentives over 10 years, requiring an $800 million investment and 50 jobs. Concerns were raised about the data center's environmental impact, while supporters cited job creation and the risk to taxpayers if the deal were canceled.
The El Paso City Council faced a large and vocal crowd after voting to maintain its controversial incentive agreement with Meta for a new, massive data center. The deal, initially approved in 2023, provides Meta with 10 years of tax incentives potentially valued at $550 million, according to the city's website. In return, Meta is committed to an $800 million investment and maintaining 50 jobs. The facility is projected to become one of the largest data center campuses in Texas.
After reviewing nearly 200 public comments, many of which called for the cancellation of the agreement, the council voted 5 to 3 to proceed with the deal. El Paso Mayor Reynard Johnson stated that legal experts advised the council on the difficulty of breaking a binding agreement, though he affirmed the city's commitment to holding Meta accountable. Some community members expressed concerns regarding the hyper-scale data center's impact on the city's resources and environment. Conversely, proponents highlighted the potential for job creation, while Mayor Johnson and council members also warned that canceling the agreement could expose taxpayers to financial risks.