City outlines priorities for possible deal with Meta
El Paso City officials have outlined priorities for a potential community agreement with Meta concerning its massive data center under construction in Northeast El Paso. These priorities, driven by a City Council directive, include local hiring, energy efficiency, water conservation, and neighborhood programs, amidst ongoing community questions about the facility's impact.
El Paso City officials are actively engaged in discussions regarding a potential community agreement with Meta, as construction continues on the tech giant's large data center in Northeast El Paso. Following a June directive from the City Council, staff presented several priorities on Monday, September 14, aimed at securing additional benefits for the community.
Key priorities identified by city staff include ensuring Meta hires and trains El Pasoans for the 300 permanent jobs the company expects to create. Other potential areas of support from Meta include initiatives for energy efficiency, water conservation, and various neighborhood programs. However, these currently remain proposals and are not yet commitments from Meta.
Community members have consistently voiced concerns about the data center's environmental impact, particularly its use of water and electricity, and have urged Meta to be more transparent. In response, city officials announced that Meta plans to hold a community meeting in each of El Paso's eight City Council districts, though specific dates have not yet been released.
Separately, Meta has established a nationwide billion-dollar fund for communities hosting its data centers, for which El Paso could apply. While this fund offers a potential avenue for community benefits, city officials also aim to continue dialogue with Meta to secure further support "above and beyond this particular fund." No final action on a community agreement was taken at the recent meeting.