El Paso residents react to data center vote
El Paso's city council voted 5-3 to uphold a controversial $550 million tax incentive agreement with Meta for a large data center, despite significant public opposition. Residents expressed concerns about the environmental impact and resource strain, while supporters highlighted job creation and the risks of canceling the binding agreement.
El Paso's city council recently held a contentious meeting where they voted to maintain a controversial tax incentive agreement with Meta for a new, massive data center campus. The agreement, initially approved in 2023, grants Meta an estimated $550 million in tax incentives over 10 years. In return, Meta is required to maintain 50 jobs and an $800 million investment. The facility is anticipated to become one of Texas's largest data center campuses.
The council session featured nearly 200 public comments, with a majority reportedly advocating for the cancellation of the agreement. Despite this, the council proceeded with a 5-3 vote to move forward with the deal. Following the meeting, El Paso Mayor Reynard Johnson indicated that legal experts had advised the council on the difficulties of rescinding a binding agreement, though he affirmed the city's commitment to holding Meta accountable.
Community members voiced concerns regarding the potential strain on city resources and environmental impacts from a hyperscale data center. Conversely, proponents emphasized the data center's job creation potential. Mayor Johnson and some council members also warned that canceling the deal could expose taxpayers to financial risks.