Oracle: Why Community Outreach is Key to Project Jupiter

Oracle has launched an expanded community outreach campaign for its Project Jupiter data centre campus in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. 

The initiative communicates the economic, environmental and community impacts of the facility to local residents. 

Central to the public awareness drive is detailed information regarding the site's fuel cell-powered energy strategy and water conservation approach. The company aims to provide precise details about how the facility will operate, interact with local utility networks and benefit the local workforce.

Oracle plans to fund all energy costs associated with the campus to protect residential electricity rates in the area. The facility will rely on a fuel cell solution and an updated cooling system designed to minimise resource consumption.

The cooling infrastructure and the fuel cells will not draw from the public drinking water supply managed by the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority.

Both systems require a single initial fill of non-potable water, sourced from an existing water rights holder. Following this startup phase, the water usage required to maintain the systems will equal the average annual consumption of two households in the US.

Economic and workforce investments

Project Jupiter will generate significant economic activity in Doña Ana County and the wider state of New Mexico. During the construction phase, the campus will support over 4,000 jobs and produce an estimated US$384m in annual economic impact during the building period. Once the data centre becomes operational, the site will support 1,500 ongoing project-supported jobs and contribute US$113m annually to the local economy.

Oracle has committed substantial capital to local infrastructure and community organisations alongside the data centre build. The company will direct US$50m towards improving local water systems. A further US$360m is allocated for direct support of schools, infrastructure and local services. Oracle is also providing US$6.9m to fund workforce development, habitat restoration and the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces.

"Project Jupiter is a different kind of data centre and we are proud to bring this once-in-a-generation project to New Mexico, particularly given its transformational benefits for people who call Doña Ana County home," says Julia Robin, Head of Infrastructure Planning and Sourcing at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

Digital and broadcast advertising

The awareness campaign extends to digital platforms and traditional broadcast media. Oracle is partnering with local voices on social media to disseminate information about the data centre campus through the platforms residents use daily.

New advertisements in English and Spanish will air as part of the campaign, running across television, radio, digital and social platforms. The content is set to focus on the expected economic impact, workforce opportunities and local investments associated with the facility. The advertisements will also outline the fuel cell-powered energy strategy and water conservation methods.

"From creating thousands of jobs to investing hundreds of millions of dollars in local schools, infrastructure, and community services, Project Jupiter represents a significant long-term commitment to New Mexico," explains Julia. "Residents deserve clear information about how the project will operate, including its innovative energy strategy and approach to water use."

Bilingual community engagement strategy

The outreach programme includes bilingual engagement to ensure clear communication with residents across the state. 

Representatives carrying official Project Jupiter identification and branded materials will conduct door-to-door conversations in various neighbourhoods. During these interactions, representatives will gather feedback, provide detailed information about the data centre and answer questions from the public. They will focus on highlighting the project investments in Doña Ana County and the broader state.