Meta to hold eight El Paso meetings this fall as data center agreement talks advance
El Paso city staff outlined a proposed community benefits plan for Meta's planned data center, including potential investments in workforce development, water conservation, and energy efficiency. While Meta has a national fund, a specific local funding allocation has not yet been identified for El Paso. Meta will hold eight community meetings in the fall to gather public feedback.
El Paso city staff presented a draft community benefits plan during an El Paso City Council work session, outlining a proposed framework for Meta's significant data center investment in Northeast El Paso. The framework, directed by the council on June 23, includes potential projects in workforce development, water conservation, energy efficiency, and neighborhood support initiatives, such as weatherization and cool-roof programs, public-facility energy upgrades, and aquifer-recharge projects. The workforce proposal aims to prioritize hiring and training El Paso residents for the data center's 300 permanent positions.
Participants in the technical work sessions, hosted by the University of Texas at El Paso, included representatives from the city, El Paso County, Workforce Solutions Borderplex, El Paso Community College, El Paso Electric, El Paso Water, and Meta. The proposal calls for establishing a replenishing annual community investment fund with oversight from regional stakeholders. However, city staff noted that Meta has not yet committed to a specific El Paso funding allocation, timeline, or mechanism, despite the company's national "Future Is for Everyone Fund." Mayor Renard Johnson has also requested an equitable share for El Paso based on the scale of the local investment.
Meta has agreed to conduct eight community meetings across each City Council district this fall to gather public feedback and provide information about the data center. City staff require more details from Meta regarding investment distribution, expected outcomes, timelines, performance measures, and public accountability before returning to the council with a final proposed community agreement. A Meta spokesperson affirmed the company's interest in local community needs and customizing investments through an open call for ideas, with applications open until October 6.