Data center boom tests New Mexico’s welcome
New Mexico is attracting several large data center proposals, including Oracle and OpenAI’s Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa, Google’s planned facility in Lea County, and a proposed information park in Roswell. Residents and survey respondents have raised concerns about water use, energy demand, infrastructure and local impacts, while state officials continue offering incentives and support.
New Mexico is advancing a wave of data center development as state incentives, available land and energy resources attract major technology companies. Oracle and OpenAI are building Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County, Meta has received state tax incentives for its Los Lunas facility, and Google is evaluating a 1,890-acre site northwest of Hobbs in Lea County. Google says construction could begin in 2027, with operations potentially starting in late 2029.
E2B4 interim CEO Chris Kameir is pitching Roswell on an information park that could include a data center and power generation, while Teraplex Data Centers has withdrawn from a proposed Gallup project after public opposition over water use. State Economic Development Secretary Rob Black said projects receiving public support must address water, energy, infrastructure and community concerns. A Journal poll found 65% of respondents opposed large data center development, even as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration promotes the industry and offers tax and workforce incentives.