OPINION:  Project Jupiter can place local businesses in the innovation fast lane

America’s economy is evolving at a pace and scale unseen since the industrial revolution. Data center campuses are the factories of this new era, breaking new ground in medicine, technology, engineering and more. But, like the steam engines that powered the last major shift in our economy, we’ll need new solutions to power this digital infrastructure.

The solutions for this problem will be many and varied — what works in Arizona may not work in upstate New York, for example — but one common trait that links every data center across the country is their need for truly substantial amounts of electricity. Project Jupiter is no different. The implementation of a microgrid will avoid straining the grid and shield local residents from any price fluctuations. Nonetheless, Project Jupiter demands a significant amount of power.

And when you take into consideration that Project Jupiter must be powered solely by zero carbon resources by 2045, it is clear that sustainably powering a data center this vast will require an all-of-the-above approach encompassing renewable energy and alternative fuels.

This is where we start to see Project Jupiter’s catalyzing effect on the local economy start to take shape. The facility’s need for sustainable power presents a significant opportunity for alternative energy sources — wind, solar, biofuels and more — that companies in the Borderplex region like ours can provide.

Sustainably supplying a data center that needs this much power will also place Borderplex businesses at the cutting edge of an industry experiencing explosive growth. The lessons we learn here can form the foundations for similar projects around the U.S. and even beyond.

All of this comes together here in New Mexico, where Project Jupiter has the potential to create thousands of jobs across multiple industries — not just our own — supporting local businesses big and small.

The economic benefits of Project Jupiter cannot be overstated. During construction, the project will support more than 2,500 construction jobs, which will drive a surge in demand for local goods and services. A constellation of local suppliers, contractors and service providers will see increased activity. The benefits don’t just stop when construction ends, however.

Once operational, Project Jupiter will continue to support local businesses and encourage investment in the area. For small businesses, anchor projects like this provide stability and growth opportunities. This benefits everyone from local restaurants that see more customers, to local suppliers and logistics companies that support the campus. In fact, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, every one job in the data center industry supports six more jobs, and Project Jupiter is no average data center. We can expect to see significant new investments across the county for years to come.

Above all else, Project Jupiter is a project for all of us. Investments in local municipal services will support residents for decades to come, while longtime residents can take advantage of direct and indirect jobs. Doña Ana County will benefit greatly from this investment.

At this juncture, it is on all of us to build a brighter and more sustainable future for New Mexico. It’s our hope that state regulators and leaders will approve the necessary regulations to see Project Jupiter come to fruition.

Jed Smith is the chief operating officer of Rio Valley Biofuels, based in El Paso, Texas, serving customers throughout the Southwest.