HUDSPETH COUNTY, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Officials in neighboring Hudspeth County confirm that a $15 billion data center is being developed close to Far East El Paso County.

In a social media post from Hudspeth County, County Judge Joanna “JoJo” Mackenzie said that after hearing rumors about a data center being built in the Desert Haven Community, organizations involved with the project, including ServerDomes Global, confirmed the rumors are true.

Desert Haven is about 15 miles from Homestead Meadows North in far East El Paso County, according to Google Maps.

In a letter included with the post, Mackenzie described the project as a “state-of-the-art” and “first of its kind in the world” data center. She said the information shared so far is preliminary and based on what project representatives have provided, “not independent findings or guarantees by Hudspeth County.”

Below is a breakdown of what Mackenzie said she knows so far about the project, including where it will be used and how it will be powered.

The center will be on private property and away from surrounding residents.Water would be drawn “one time only” during the initial startup of the facility, with no additional water withdrawn after that, promising that local water users won’t be impacted (Mackenzie said the county will seek supporting information to verify these claims).The facility would generate its own electricity and won’t use local power sources.The project won’t request tax abatements from the County, though the potential taxable value and resulting tax revenue have not yet been determined, Mackenzie said.After community concerns, project managers have begun assisting with grading private roads in Desert Haven “as an act of good faith,” Mackenzie said, adding that the landowner is also donating caliche for road improvements where needed, and that road use agreements involving county roads are being worked through.Construction could begin as early as 2027, and will first create 800 construction jobs. Construction is expected to take four to five years, with about 200 to 300 permanent jobs anticipated once completed.

Mackenzie said she visited the site Thursday morning and met with contractors and others involved in the project. She said those conversations included “acknowledgment and an apology for the lack of communication with local government and the community.” She said project representatives recognized those conversations should have started sooner and committed to improving communication.

Mackenzie said the county’s role is limited because the proposal is a private development on private property, but that Hudspeth County is responsible for ensuring applicable laws and regulations are followed, public infrastructure and resources are protected, and residents have an opportunity to be heard.

Mackenzie said she testified Tuesday before the Texas House Natural Resources Committee in El Paso about protecting water resources and the importance of including rural communities in decisions that may impact them, adding that those same principles apply to the proposed data center. She said she is encouraged by the support the county has received from the state.

Attached below is the social media post:

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