Meta says it will keep supporting projects in El Paso
Nina Gallegos
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Meta released a statement Wednesday on El Paso City Council’s vote against Item 37. The item would have directed negotiations to possibly cancel its tax incentive agreement with the city.
“Meta’s El Paso data center represents a significant long-term investment in this community — supporting thousands of construction and operational jobs, generating millions in local tax revenue, and supporting the digital infrastructure that El Paso businesses and families rely on every day. We’re glad to continue working with city leaders on the path forward and remain excited to be part of El Paso’s future,” a Meta spokesperson said.
Meta and El Paso have a 380 agreement. A 380 agreement is a legal contract between a city and a private business. One of the things it does is incentivize developers to build a project in a specific city so they have the opportunity for economic growth.
In this case, Meta gets an 80% break on city taxes for 25 years. In return, Meta promises to invest a minimum of $800 million dollars in El Paso. They also promise to give jobs to at least 50 full-time workers.
Even if council did vote to negotiate the termination of their agreement, Meta would not be forced to stop building the data center.
That’s because Meta has already purchased the land they’re building on and started construction on the property.
ABC-7 reached out to El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson, City Manager Dionne Mack and Borderplex Alliance CEO Jon Barela. They were not available for interviews.