Residents demand answers about 'Project Mars' as commissioners call it 'not a data center'

Dozens of Torrance County residents pressed the Board of County Commissioners on July 22 for clear information about a proposed initiative referred to in public comment as "Project Mars," warning the county and state may be quietly preparing land and water approvals for an industrial project that could displace ranches.

Kim Ortiz, who said she and family members were privately approached about the project, told commissioners the outreach was treated as final by county staff and that the family was told the county might buy out their state lease and that they would be "possibly compensated" for losses. Several speakers, including Ortiz, said they later heard the project may not be a data center but rather involves ballistic manufacturing or testing near the Davis Pits and Moriarty Airport.

Chairman Ryan Schwebach responded that the county’s contacts so far were preliminary fact-finding and said, "Project Mars is not a data center." He told residents the County Manager and Commissioner McCall were designated to represent the county in early talks and invited use of IPRA if residents believe records are being withheld. Commissioner Kevin McCall said the initial outreach came through AREA and the state’s economic development department, and that the parcel in question is state trust land identified by the State Land Office.

Residents raised several specific concerns around process and impacts: secrecy and non-disclosure agreements, the prospect of large water and power demands, potential destruction of ranchland and habitat, and who received early briefings. Ernest Ortiz asked whether candidates and some insiders had received special briefings and NDAs; others called for any land purchases, bond obligations, or zoning work to be publicly posted and vetted before any formal action.

Technical and safety concerns also featured: Dr. James Stevens, a Planning & Zoning board member and chemist, warned about propellant and explosives manufacturing risks—citing the need for strict waste and environmental controls—and said such operations can be safe if properly designed, but only with independent expert review. Multiple residents demanded metering and accountability for any allocated water and said they were skeptical of assurances of low water use without documented figures.

The board took no binding action on Project Mars during the meeting. Commissioners emphasized that any project with high water use or that required land condemnation would require additional public processes and Planning & Zoning review. The county manager said details provided to the board were preliminary and that staff would return with any material requiring formal action.