El Paso City Council Votes to Keep Meta Data Center Agreement Despite Backlash

The El Paso City Council has decided to maintain its incentive agreement with Meta Platforms Inc. for a data center in Northeast El Paso, voting 5-3 against a proposal to terminate the contract. This decision follows a lengthy public meeting where many residents expressed concerns about environmental impacts, including excessive water usage and air pollution. The agreement, which grants Meta an 80% tax break for 25 years on a projected $10 billion investment, has drawn criticism for not generating enough jobs in return. City officials estimate the center will contribute approximately $15 million annually in city taxes, despite the ongoing public outcry and threats to vote out representatives who supported the agreement.

Key Details: • City Council voted 5-3 to keep the Meta agreement on Tuesday. • The agreement provides Meta with an 80% tax break for 25 years. • Meta is expected to pay about $15 million annually in city taxes. • The data center is projected to use up to 1.5 million gallons of water daily. • Opponents threaten to vote out council members who supported the agreement in upcoming elections.