Local officials in Roswell plan to host a discussion on data centers about a year after such a project was announced in Chaves County.

The event is planned for 2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10 at the Elks Lodge No. 969 at 1720 N. Montana Ave. in Roswell, hosted by the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation and State Rep.-elect Stephen Dodson (R-59).

All interested in attending must RSVP with RCCEDC by Wednesday, Aug. 5 to get a seat at the no-cost event.  

In August 2025 the Chaves County Board of Commissioners approved a special use permit for Zenith Volts Corporation of Wyoming to build a data center near Lake Arthur, 20 miles south of Roswell. The $6 billion project would construct a 300-acre data center on an 8,500-acre parcel.

According to a press release from Zenith announcing approval of the special use permit, the center would generate 1.25 gigawatts of power and create 140 long-term jobs. 

The company plans to bring the center in the full operation by November 2027.

Details of the exact agenda for the upcoming meeting have still not been finalized but Dodson said it will include a presentation by Matthew Gonzalez, founder and CEO of Chingon Strategies, a Santa Fe-based public policy and government relations firm that has done work in energy policy. Dodson added that he is unsure if the meeting will be livestreamed or later recorded or posted online. 

The forum, Dodson said, is an educational event meant to answer questions and address misconceptions about the data centers, as well as the impacts they can have on economic development, consumption of natural resources and other facts about such projects. He added that it is aimed at an audience that does not have a fixed opinion one way or another about the centers. 

“As these facilities expand across the Southwest, modern designs are adapting to arid environments and overcoming historical challenges. We encourage productive, good-faith dialogue focused on factual resource metrics and updated design standards,” Dodson wrote in a text message to the Roswell Tribune. 

Dodson’s event has come as the construction and operation of data centers across the country has sparked discussion, including locally. 

He pointed Project Jupiter, a $165 billion project for a proposed 1,400-acre AI data center campus near Santa Teresa, according to the Doña Ana County government’s website. 

The project has ignited a firestorm of controversy about the data center’s impacts on the local community and environment. A July 28 meeting between leading proponents of Project Jupiter and the Doña Ana County Commission became violent last month when critics of the project physically clashed with supporters when the commissioners cut off public comment.

Three people were subsequently arrested at the meeting and charged with disorderly conduct.

July 7

Arrest

Kayla M. Gattshall arrested for municipal failure to appear.

WELFARE

10:38 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

11:06 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DOMESTIC

1:18 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Champ Clark Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

DISTURBANCE

2:57 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Bates Ave. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

ACCIDENT

4:44 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

5:25 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N. 4th St. in reference to a suspicious trespass.

INTOXICATED

6:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Bates Ave. in reference to an intoxicated subject.

WELFARE

6:56 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Washington Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

INDECENT EXPOSURE

7:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of Bulldog Blvd. in reference to indecent exposure.

WELFARE

8:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

10:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

July 8

Arrest

Ivan Johnson arrested for failure to appear.

ACCIDENT

8:40 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

9:26 am – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Logan Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

9:32 am – Officer dispatched to S. 1st ST. and W. Missouri Ave. in reference to suspicious trespass.

DOMESTIC

9:31 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

VANDALISM

4:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of S. 8th St. in reference to structure vandal.

OVERDOSE

7:05 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to an overdose.

SUSPICIOUS

7:57 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Bush Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

8:12 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Lolita Ave. and N. 8th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DOMESTIC

9:10 pm- Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 7th St. in reference to verbal domestic.

July 9

WELFARE

7:52 am – Officer dispatched to N. 5th St. and W. Chisum Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

12:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. 16th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

ACCIDENT

5:01 pm – Officer dispatched to 2000 block of W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SHOTS FIRED

8:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Mahone Dr. in reference to shots fired in the area.

UNWANTED

11:50 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

July 10

Arrest

Juilo Cesar Ruiz arrested for contempt of court, failure to comply, failure to appear. Concealing identity, aggravated battery inflicting injury, or great harm.

Darleen Dion Zarate arrested for battery against a household member.

Mateo Mariano Florez arrested for Aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs, speeding, required position, method of turning at intersection.

WELFARE

12:10 am – Officer dispatched to W. Runyan Ave. and S. 20th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

1:29 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

WELFARE

6:04 am – Officer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Ray Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

10:35 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

11:35 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 4th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

12:28 PM- Officer dispatched to 200 block of S. 1ST St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WANTED

1:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

OVERDOSE

1:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to an overdose.

GRAFFITI

2:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 3100 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to graffiti.

3:06 pm – Officer dispatched to 2800 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to graffiti.

ACCIDENT

4:33 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Texas and N. 4th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

4:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of n. 14th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

5:35 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

WELFARE

6:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Gilchrist Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

8:54 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ALARM

10:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

July 11

BURGLARY

12:07 am – Officer dispatched is 1300 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to an auto burglary.

1:58 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

4:35 am – Officer dispatched to 303 W. Main St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

WELFARE

12:31 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 10th St. and W. JJ Clarke Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

12:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

12:55 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 5th St. and W. Cannon Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SUSPICIOUS

1:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

THREATS

2:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Main St. in reference to threats.

SUSPICIOUS

2:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 2100 block of W. Currier St. in reference to a suspicious person.

ACCIDENT

4:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 2400 of Parkland Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

5:06 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

5:28 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Lolita Ave. an N. 10th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

RECKLESS

6:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

10:12 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to suspicious person.

11:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to suspicious person.

11:02 pm – Officer dispatched to600 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

July 12

WELFARE

12:24 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Champ Clark Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

12:33 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to physical domestic.

1:56 am – Officer dispatched to N. 13th Rural St. in reference to domestic.

DISTURBANCE

3:30 am – Officer dispatched to N. 15th St. and W. Chisum Ave. in reference to disturbance.

DOMESTIC

6:10 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 11th St. in reference to physical domestic.

DISTURBANCE

10:34 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to disturbance.

SUICIDAL

12:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to a suicidal subject.

SHOTS FIRED

2:41 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to shots fired.

SUSPICIOUS

7:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of N. 4th St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

THREATS

8:31 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to threats.

July 13

THREATS

12:09 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of S. 1st St. in reference to threats.

SUSPICIOUS

3:49 am – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Booker Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

WELFARE

9:02 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

6:51 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Hermosa Dr. and S 13th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

9:50 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 26th St. and W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

11:25 pm – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of S. 26th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

A community center in rural southern Eddy County is being rebuilt and county officials said it will open in September.

The Otis Community Center, known locally as the “Otis Gym,” was approved for a $2 million rebuild at the Eddy County Commission meeting Feb. 24. Facilities Director Jasmine Sosa gave commissioners an update on the project at their Tuesday, July 28, meeting in Carlsbad.

The center is used for recreation and fitness activities by residents in the Otis area, a rural community about seven miles south of Carlsbad, and is available to all county residents.

Sosa said most of the exterior work was complete and the county is now waiting for Xcel Energy to install power to the facility.

The project involved a complete refurbishment of the interior facilities including bathrooms, air conditioning and recreational areas. A new roof was installed in March.

New grills, picnic tables, lighting and signage were installed outside the building.

“We’ve completed a couple of major milestones,” Sosa said. “The building is completed.”

The center was first opened in 1948 and was acquired by the county in 1985. It fell into disrepair in recent years, Sosa said, necessitating a rebuild to modernize the facilities and ensure safety for its users.

The work will be completed by Aug. 26, Sosa said. The county is planning a grand opening in September.

“We can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

Happy Valley ‘forgotten?’

Sosa also reported a playground was installed at Happy Valley Park on the eastern edge of Carlsbad city limits. That could be followed by additional upgrades.

“We are planning future park enhancements,” Sosa said.

Happy Valley is a rural community of about 600 outside of Carlsbad, funded and maintained by Eddy County.

It’s also where Midland-based Permian Resources is drilling and operating 10 oil and gas wells just within city limits, after being granted approval to drill via a 6-2 vote by the Carlsbad City Council in June 2025.

Residents of Happy Valley addressed concerns about increased oil and gas operations in the area during the public comment segment of Tuesday’s meeting.

No one from Permian Resources addressed the county commission or responded to the concerns during the meeting.

Shirley Washburn, who said she was a lifelong resident of the area, complained that heavy oil and gas operations created problematic noise and traffic for those who live in the area.

“Since the city of Carlsbad approved the wells in the city limits, my community has become the stomping ground for all the oil and gas activities,” Washburn said. “They are not concerned for our future. The noise is unbearable.”

She pointed to a proposal her daughter Jeannie Nichols made during the May 5 county commission meeting to increase the county’s setback for oil and gas facilities near local homes.

“We have not heard any response,” Washburn said. “We feel like we have been swept under the rug and forgotten.”

She said it was especially concerning that an oilfield wastewater line and heavy truck traffic were being observed on Jones Street, which is where Washburn said the school bus picks up local children.

“These truck drivers think they own the road, so they speed and drive down the middle,” she said. “I pray for these kids’ safety.”

Commission Chair Bo Bowen said he would try to find a way to divert truck traffic away from the neighborhood but gave no indication if an ordinance to increase the setback was being considered.

“There has been a lot of effort to get that controlled,” Bowen said. “I promise I will make that phone call and see if there’s something that can’t be worked out to get that traffic off that road.”

Other business

County Finance Director Roberta Gonzales reported $6.4 million in gross receipts taxes in May, and $7.6 million in tax receipts from the oil and gas industry.

Gonzales also reported that in June the county received $6.6 million in gross receipts and $10.8 million in oil and gas revenue.

Fiscal years run from July 1 to June 30 of each year and are named for the calendar year they end in, meaning this was the last revenue report for Fiscal Year 2026. For FY 2027, Gonzales said, the county was budgeting its revenue based on an average oil price of $56 per barrel.

Commissioners also voted to approve a county budget for FY 2027 projecting about $298 million in revenue and $581 million in expenses. Gonzales said the high amount of expense was largely tied to the ongoing rebuild of the Eddy County Detention Center, estimated most recently to cost about $167 million.

She said the county budgeted another $79 million in salaries, including money for 26 new positions across the county administration.

The county also approved agreements with the New Mexico Department of Transportation to install streetlights at two intersections where U.S. Highway 285 crosses 26th and 13th streets in Artesia. The state will install the lights, and the county will maintain them.