A Mysterious Data Center Rises in the New Mexican Desert
December 7, 2025
A large and secretive data center project, shrouded in corporate anonymity, is taking shape in the arid landscape of New Mexico, highlighting the industry's relentless expansion into new territories and the growing complexities surrounding the infrastructure powering the digital economy. The development underscores the intense competition for suitable land, power, and water resources, often pitting the promises of economic development against local community concerns and environmental sustainability.
Dubbed "Boarderplex," the facility is under construction on a 1,200-acre site near the border town of Santa Teresa. Despite its significant scale, the project's ultimate owner and primary tenant remain a mystery. Local records and officials have identified the developer as a Delaware-registered limited liability company named "Boarderplex Data Center Group LLC," a corporate structure that effectively shields the identities of the individuals or entities behind the venture. Construction activity, including the laying of massive foundations, has been visible for months, yet the specific purpose—whether for high-performance computing, artificial intelligence workloads, or generic cloud storage—is undisclosed.
The project's scale is substantial, with permits indicating plans for up to six buildings totaling approximately 5 million square feet of space. Initial construction focuses on the first two buildings, which together span about 1.7 million square feet. The development has secured a significant allocation of resources, including rights to 1.2 billion gallons of water annually from the local utility and a high-capacity electrical interconnection agreement. These commitments have raised questions in a region where water scarcity is a perennial concern and electrical grid capacity is under increasing strain from new industrial demands.
The secrecy surrounding Boarderplex is emblematic of a broader trend in the data center industry, where operators, particularly those involved in sensitive or competitive fields like AI, increasingly opt for discretion. This approach can streamline the permitting process but often leaves local communities and policymakers in the dark about the long-term implications for infrastructure and resources. The project's potential impact extends beyond its fence line, influencing regional power planning, water management policies, and economic development strategies, setting a precedent for how future large-scale digital infrastructure projects might navigate similar challenges.
Source: nytimes
Mysterious 'Boarderplex' Data Center Project Emerges in New Mexico Desert
