Florida

Bisnow · Florida

Lake County commissioners voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on large-scale data center development through June 2027 while exploring regulatory options. Public hearings on the proposed ordinance are scheduled for November 17 and December 1.

Mid Florida Newspapers · Florida

Wisconsin's artificial intelligence data center industry has expanded rapidly over the past year, bringing billions in investment while sparking debates over energy use, water consumption and farmland preservation. Several major projects have emerged across the state, though some proposals have been halted following community opposition.

The Lakeland Mirror · Polk Co., FL

DeSoto County planners recommended denying a rezoning request for a proposed 238-acre data center citing unanswered questions about the project's power, water, and wastewater needs. County commissioners must still decide whether to advance the 3-F Ranch proposal, which would allow up to 1.8 million square feet of buildings.

The Cool Down · Florida

Data centers have emerged as a prominent midterm issue, with Ohio—home to over 200 data centers—drawing particular attention. Voters in 10 states face 41 ballot measures on rezoning, amending, or banning data centers, with 21 measures across 18 Ohio communities brought by local activists concerned about environmental and lifestyle impacts.

WKRC · Florida

Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds called for permitting reform to reduce housing costs and set education goals including math, reading and writing mastery for graduates. He opposes Medicaid expansion, supports school choice policies, and said he would focus on nuclear power and natural gas for affordable energy while studying environmental concerns like dam removal.

FOX 13 Tampa Bay · Florida

Kansas City's City Council will vote Nov. 12 on whether to approve approximately $20 million in tax breaks and $572.5 million in bond authorization for The Constant Company, an AI data center operator in the Northland, a proposal opposed by a local watchdog group citing minimal job creation.

Hoodline · Florida

Headline onlyFox News · Florida

Headline onlyFox News · Florida

Miami-Dade County approved over $3.6 million in incentives for a 75,000-square-foot data center identified as "Project Apollo" in December 2024 without publicly naming the company behind it until after reporting by NBC6. The project, eventually identified as being developed by California-based Metrobloks, involves a $150 million capital investment and is projected for completion in 2026.

The Cool Down · Miami-Dade Co., FL · also at Yahoo

Tampa City Council directed staff to stop processing new AI data center applications, advancing a proposal that could reshape how the city regulates the industry. The council has not yet adopted a formal moratorium ordinance and will consider a resolution at its Nov. 5 meeting, with public hearings scheduled for December and January.

Hoodline · Hillsborough Co., FL

Headline onlyNews4JAX · Duval Co., FL · also at Jacksonville Daily Record

Democratic candidate Victor Arias, running in Florida's U.S. District 19, supports a data center moratorium to allow public education on their impacts. Arias emphasized priorities including unity, economic relief, environmental protection, and Social Security in his campaign interview.

Gulf Coast News and Weather · Florida

Tampa City Council approved a motion to halt new artificial intelligence data center applications and develop a temporary moratorium on such facilities. The proposal, introduced by Chair Alan Clendenin, directs staff to prepare regulations and schedule public hearings in December and January.

Florida Politics · Hillsborough Co., FL

Data center companies are requesting massive amounts of electricity from Jacksonville's JEA utility, with one September 2024 inquiry seeking 1,248 megawatts—more power than current infrastructure can support. JEA officials cite supply chain constraints and the need for dedicated substations as obstacles to meeting these demands.

News4JAX · Duval Co., FL

DeSoto County commissioners deadlocked 2-2 on October 27-28, 2026, rejecting rezoning applications for an 825-acre data center campus near Arcadia proposed by DCIP Group. The failed votes prevent the expansion of an already-approved 34.22-acre site, though future revised proposals remain possible.

Construction Review · DeSoto Co. (FL), FL

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

Headline onlywtol.com · Florida

Headline onlyWTOL · Florida

Lake County commissioners extended the county's data center moratorium through June 2027, temporarily pausing development while officials develop local regulations. The extension carries the moratorium beyond the next legislative session in Tallahassee and reflects majority commission support for the temporary pause rather than a permanent ban.

WFTV · Leon Co., FL

Martin County commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a temporary moratorium on large-scale AI data centers, citing resident concerns about a proposed facility's proximity to homes and schools and the need for further study of environmental effects. The one-year ban will not apply to a pending request submitted before an earlier vote.

1290 WJNO · Florida · also at WIOD, Real Radio 92.1, BIG 105.9

Florida voters across party lines express growing concerns about data centers, citing noise, higher utility bills, and resource consumption. The issue has become central to multiple state races, with candidates debating local control and transparency around the estimated 170 data centers operating in the state.

WSVN · Florida

DeSoto County commissioners deadlocked 2-2 on rezoning nearly 238 acres for an artificial intelligence data center near Arcadia, killing that portion of the proposal. A second hearing on an additional 553 acres is scheduled for Wednesday.

WINK News · DeSoto Co. (FL), FL

Martin County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center applications to allow time for environmental studies and development of future regulations. The decision comes as an applicant seeks approval for the Florida Gateway Project, a 100-megawatt data center on Kanner Highway.

WPBF · Florida

R Street Institute · Florida

The Venice City Council adopted a 12-month moratorium on large-scale data center applications and permits, effective immediately, to allow staff time to review impacts on utilities, water supply and environmental concerns including wetlands and coastal ecosystems. The moratorium covers comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, conditional uses and related applications.

ABC7 WWSB · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida · also at Yahoo, Miami Herald

Martin County commissioners voted unanimously to temporarily halt new applications for large data centers in unincorporated areas for one year, giving officials time to develop regulations addressing concerns about electricity consumption and environmental impacts.

WPEC · Florida · also at WPEC

A University of North Florida poll found 61 percent of likely Florida voters prioritize environmental protection over economic growth. The finding is shaping Florida's U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Ashley Moody and Democrat Angie Nixon, with disputes over data centers, power bills and hurricane recovery emerging as key issues.

Inside Climate News · Florida · also at WUSF

Martin County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development Tuesday, the second reading of the measure. The pause allows county leaders to evaluate future data center projects, though a pending hyperscale data center application submitted before the moratorium is exempt.

WPTV · Florida