EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Facebook’s parent company, Meta, is going to be building a new artificial intelligence center in El Paso.
The announcement to bring the nearly 1.2 million square-feet facility to northeast El Paso was made during a news conference hosted by Borderplex Alliance Wednesday morning.
$1.5 billion is expected to be invested and the creation of more than 1,800 construction jobs at “peak development,” with 100 operational positions once construction is completed.
According to Borderplex Alliance, the facility will play a crucial role in supporting Meta’s expansive AI technologies and its suite of global apps.
“This is an incredible moment for El Paso and for Texas as a whole,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Texas continues to be the epicenter of innovation, and Meta’s $1.5 billion investment reinforces our state’s leadership in artificial intelligence and technology. This project will not only bring new, high-paying jobs to Texas, but it will also strengthen our state’s position at the forefront of the global tech economy. With partners like Meta and the Borderplex Alliance, we are well-positioned to continue driving innovation and growth for years to come.”
Meta highlighted several key factors in its decision-making process, including the availability of a strong workforce, robust energy resources, and the region’s business-friendly environment.
“We are excited to bring our next-generation, AI-optimized data center to El Paso,” said Brad Davis, Director of Data Center Community & Economic Development at Meta. “El Paso embodies innovation, talent, and opportunity. The support we’ve received from the local community has been outstanding, and we’re eager to continue building on this partnership for years to come.”
Local leaders expressed excitement over this investment will bring to the community.
“El Paso County’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and economic opportunity is further solidified by Meta’s historic investment,” said El Paso County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego. “This project will not only create hundreds of jobs but will also support our local infrastructure and create sustainable growth for years to come. I am thankful to the Borderplex Alliance for their leadership in making this project a reality.”
El Paso’s city leaders are also celebrating the groundbreaking project. “El Paso is proud to be the home for Meta’s new data center,” said El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson. “This represents a monumental opportunity for our community, bringing high-quality jobs and lasting economic benefits. Attracting major employers like Meta is a top priority of my administration, and we are grateful for the collaborative effort that made this investment possible.”
The city of El Paso gave the tech company incentives in 2023 to build in the Borderland.
“The incentives amount to 80% of the City’s portion of property tax revenue generated by the project over a 25-year period per phase, up to five phases, where each phase represents an $800M investment,” stated a project proposal the city presented two years ago.
Meta is also the parent company for Instagram and WhatsApp.
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