The $165bn Project Jupiter data center in Doña Ana County is receiving mixed reactions as Oracle plans to advance the project. The firm’s presentation to the county’s Board of Commissioners began with applause and with boos from residents. The room was filled with individuals who brought signs and prepared speeches for public comment before representatives from Oracle and STACK had a chance to speak.

However, the meeting came to a halt when some attendees were confronted by security. The project is underway as Oracle awaits a TCEQ emissions air permit, a step it says could be fundamental for the project. In the moments leading up to the pause, residents spoke in favor and against the hyperscale data project.

“I support this project because I believe it represents responsible investment in our community; it creates good-paying jobs for skilled workers and also supports local businesses,” Bonnie Hidalgo said. On the other hand, some were against the project like local Raymond Madson. “This Project Jupiter is in the wrong place. It’s using the wrong resources and it should not be put in here,” he said. Another project that is facing similar concerns is the Project Peanut, Loch, and Skye data centers as residents worry over transparency concerns. Chesterfield residents say recent attempts at dialog by Google and county leadership have fallen short. This is despite Google hosting two open houses this month to answer questions about the ongoing data center projects. Zoning changes for two of the projects were approved in public hearings by county supervisors on May 28, 2025.

Outlook on the Project Jupiter Data Center by Oracle

The Project Jupiter data center by Oracle in Doña Ana County is already ongoing as the firm notes it has been fundamental for the region. According to a news release by Oracle, to date, the project has funded 80 percent of its $50 million commitment to support local water infrastructure in the County. On the other hand, the remaining is to be funded next month. The project is also expected to generate approximately $384 million in annual economic impact during construction.

Another $113 million is to be generated annually once the campus is operational. “The data center is being built by New Mexicans with nearly 700 residents working onsite to date and hundreds more expected to be employed in the coming months,” read the news release. It is also “on pace” to create over 7,000 construction jobs, including union jobs, and 1,500 ongoing project-supported jobs once construction is complete, according to Oracle.

“Project Jupiter is a responsible data center that is delivering tangible, growing value for Doña Ana County today,” Mahesh Thiagarajan, executive vice president, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, said. Oracle has also claimed that Project Jupiter’s updated design will “significantly reduce ongoing water use” and will not use any potable water.

Project Overview

• Project Value: $165B
• Location: Doña Ana County, New Mexico
• Developer: Oracle
• Status: Under construction; awaiting TCEQ air permit

Scope

• Hyperscale data center campus
• Developed with STACK Infrastructure
• Local water infrastructure upgrades
• Large-scale AI cloud infrastructure

Project Highlights

• Construction already underway
• $50M committed to water infrastructure
• Updated design also eliminates potable water use
• 7,000 construction jobs planned

Community Response

• Mixed public reaction
• Supporters cite jobs and economic growth
• Opponents raise environmental concerns
• Public meeting disrupted by protests

Outlook

• TCEQ emissions permit still pending
• Construction continues during review
• Remaining water funding due soon
• Community scrutiny remains high