Fort Bliss to host listening session on controversial data center project

Fort Bliss will host a community listening session on Wednesday, April 22, to discuss a proposed data center project on its property. The session, scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel Conference Center, aims to provide an overview and status update on the project, followed by an opportunity for community feedback. The Department of the Army announced on March 26 that it had reached a conditional agreement with global investment firm Carlyle to enter into exclusive negotiations. This agreement is for the construction of a data center on approximately 1,400 acres of underutilized Fort Bliss land. The project's stated goal is to enable "the strategic development of AI capabilities" in support of national defense. However, a neighborhood group in the Montana Vista area has voiced opposition to the project. Recognizing community concerns, Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, stated, "We are holding this session to review what we know now about the conditional agreement and proposed data center project, and then we want to hear from you to help inform planning." Leaders and representatives from the Department of the Army, Fort Bliss, and Carlyle are expected to participate in the session.