Dona Ana County approves IRBs and GRT-share for Project Jupiter amid heavy public debate

The Dona Ana County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 19 approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance of taxable industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) for Project Jupiter and separately approved a Local Economic Development Act (LITA) gross‑receipts tax share agreement tied to the same project, each by a 4–1 roll‑call vote.

The measures authorize up to $165,000,000,000 in IRBs to support construction of a hyperscale data‑center campus, an on‑site microgrid and related infrastructure and equipment. Commissioners voted to adopt the IRB ordinance after public presentations and more than three hours of public comment and questions. The final votes were recorded as: Commissioners Gamedos (yes), Reynolds (yes), Sanchez (yes), Chaparro (no), and Chair Sheldu Hernandez (yes).

Why it matters: Project Jupiter’s proponents say the campus would be the largest private investment in New Mexico history and would bring large construction activity, long‑term jobs and a package of community payments that county staff say will boost local revenues and fund water and workforce projects. Opponents urged delay, citing water use, air and climate impacts, the speed of the process, and a perceived lack of transparency.

Most important facts - The companies that proposed Project Jupiter told the commission they expect to invest up to $165,000,000,000 over a multi‑decade buildout. Presenters described the figure as driven largely by the cost of equipment and future refresh cycles. (Denise Carter; Lan Manapier; Mark Roper) - Job projections presented to the commission: about 750 full‑time on‑site permanent jobs, 50 part‑time permanent jobs, and roughly 2,500 construction jobs during build‑out. Reported average annual full‑time wages were in the $75,000–$100,000 range (not including benefits). (Project representatives) - Community and fiscal commitments described by company representatives and county staff included: a series of pilot (PILOT) payments to the county estimated in the aggregate during presentations at roughly $360,000,000 over the project lifetime, a $50,000,000 commitment targeted to water and wastewater projects, and $6,900,000 for other community priorities (workforce development, shovel‑ready projects). Presenters summed those commitments at roughly $417,000,000 (figures presented by the company). (Lan Manapier; Mark Roper) - Company statements on water use: project presenters said the data center would employ a closed‑loop, air‑cooled design with average operational water use described as about 20,000 gallons per day for the data center and a similar ~20,000 gallons per day for the microgrid when in steady state (roughly 40,000…