EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Meta has named a new community engagement manager for El Paso as the company continues work on its data center project in Northeast El Paso.<\/p>\n
The company confirmed to KFOX14\/CBS4 on Wednesday that Lauren Zimmerman, who previously served as campaign manager for El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, will lead Meta\u2019s community engagement initiatives in the Borderland.<\/p>\n
In her new role, Meta said Zimmerman will help guide regional project development and build community partnerships as the company moves forward with its El Paso data center project, which is currently under construction. <\/p>\n
\u201cLauren Zimmerman is an experienced community leader and the newly appointed lead for Meta\u2019s community engagement initiatives in El Paso,\u201d Meta stated in an announcement on El Paso Inc. \u201cWith 15 years of experience spanning the region\u2019s media, political, and nonprofit sectors, Lauren has dedicated her career to driving local impact and building coalitions throughout the Sun City.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ana Martinez, a public policy director with Meta and an El Paso native, previously told KFOX14\/CBS4 in July that the new hire would serve as a direct link between the company and the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo this person will be based out of El Paso and will be our community engagement manager that will be focused on the ongoing discussions we’re having with community stakeholders, will be helping lead our annual grants program and our free digital skills training,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cAnd more importantly, they’ll be helping build relationships with our community partners like the chambers, local schools and nonprofits.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hiring push comes as city leaders have been pressing for a formal community benefits agreement, aimed at addressing community concerns and pushback over the data center.<\/p>\n
At that city council meeting in June, residents and advocates said any agreement should include stronger protections.<\/p>\n
This comes as the data center continues to raise concerns among some residents about the project\u2019s impact on local resources, including water and electricity rates. <\/p>\n
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