U.S. Army pitches self-contained Fort Bliss data center; community remains skeptical

The U.S. Army and global investment firm Carlyle Group are in early-stage negotiations to develop a massive, multi-tiered data center on unused property at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Project leaders and Fort Bliss officials held a public meeting at the Windham El Paso Airport Hotel, where they presented the proposed plan to dozens of El Pasoans. However, community members expressed widespread skepticism, stating that the information provided was limited and vague, with many questions remaining unanswered. One attendee, a local resident, voiced strong concerns about the city's ability to sustain even a single data center, let alone a third one, citing potential "extreme consequences. Officials indicated that negotiations are ongoing, and no final agreement has been reached. They aim for initial operations to begin by the end of 2027, with full capability projected for 2029, pending the resolution of details in the coming months. An economic impact study is also underway to assess the project's effects on the community.