Daily Digest — July 7, 2026
Lakeland, Florida Weighs One-Year Data Center Moratorium Amid Project Swan Opposition
Lakeland, Florida is considering a one-year moratorium on new data centers and large electrical users with peak demands of 50 megawatts or more. The proposed ordinance follows significant public opposition to "Project Swan," a 500,000- to 600,000-square-foot cloud data storage facility planned by Ryan Companies U.S. Inc. for a 60-acre site at 923 Wilkinson Road in west Lakeland, according to multiple local reports.
Residents voiced concerns at a recent public hearing about:
- Health impacts from noise and diesel backup generators
- Strain on Lakeland Electric's grid, which currently serves a maximum single user at 18 megawatts
- Water resource consumption
- Lightning strike risks in Polk County
- Burden on local firefighters
Tyler Lohmiller, representing Ryan Companies, told the city that Project Swan would be a "cloud data storage edge facility" — not an AI data center — requiring approximately 100 megawatts upon full buildout, including a proposed 3.8-acre on-site substation, as reported by the Winter Haven News Chief. Lohmiller stated the facility would not use water for server cooling, though a partnership with the adjacent West Lakeland Wasteload Reduction facility could serve as a backup. He emphasized the developer's desire to "partner" with the city.
Mayor Sarah McCarley noted the city's electrical grid cannot currently accommodate the proposed demand, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. No formal applications for zoning or annexation have been filed beyond an initial concept plan. If the moratorium is enacted, city staff would spend the next year reviewing Lakeland's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. Two more public hearings are scheduled — July 20 and August 3 — before a final vote, as reported by WFLA.
Lakeland residents urge data center moratorium as Project Swan developer defends proposal
Tampa Bay 28
Data center developer addresses public as Lakeland considers moratorium
Spectrum Bay News 9
Data center developer says 'we want to be a partner' with Lakeland
Winter Haven News Chief
'Project Swan' debate over AI data center moratorium continues
WFLA News Channel 8
Lakeland, Florida, Considers One-Year Data Center Moratorium
FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Eagan Capital Sues City of Eagan Over Data Center Moratorium; Elk River and Inver Grove Heights Also Act
Eagan Capital, LLC has filed a lawsuit against the City of Eagan, Minnesota, seeking to void the city's one-year data center moratorium and claiming monetary damages exceeding $50,000, according to CBS News. The complaint, filed June 15, argues that Eagan's interim ordinance — which prohibits new data centers within 500 feet of residential homes or those using over 20 megawatts of electricity — exceeds the city's authority because electricity demand regulation falls under the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
The lawsuit follows the Eagan City Council's unanimous denial in May of Eagan Capital's six-month interim use permit at the company's 32-acre former Unisys site, where city staff discovered unpermitted trailered chiller units in operation, as reported by the Pioneer Press. Council members expressed concern that the permit request was a "backdoor way" to change land use without proper zoning adjustments. The city's zoning code requires at least 51% of total floor area to be office space. Eagan officials stated they are confident in their position and intend to vigorously defend the moratorium.
Separately, the Elk River City Council rejected an ordinance amendment that would have permitted a proposed 33-megawatt, 60,000-square-foot data center in a light industrial zone, according to CBS News and WCCO. Residents had submitted 83 pages of comments opposing the project, citing noise, water usage, and transparency concerns, per KSTP. Mayor John Dietz recommended the city consider a one-year moratorium on data center development.
The City of Inver Grove Heights has also enacted its own one-year moratorium, prompted by resident opposition to a proposed 54,070-square-foot facility by Qlevr LLC. Residents submitted a petition with over 700 signatures to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board requesting an environmental impact study, as reported by the Pioneer Press.
Data center company sues Eagan over development pause
Pioneer Press
Lawsuit filed against Eagan asks court to void city's data center moratorium
CBS News
Elk River City Council rejects ordinance amendment that would have allowed for a data center
CBS News
Elk River officials reject amendment that would have allowed for data center
WCCO - CBS Minnesota
Public hearing scheduled on Elk River data center plan
KSTP 5 Eyewitness News
Nashville Metro Council Prepares for Data Center Public Hearings; Mayor Files Eminent Domain Bill
Nashville's Metro Council is holding public hearings on two major data center bills, with a ticketed queuing system in place for speakers due to anticipated high turnout, according to WSMV. The bills, currently on their second of three readings, include:
- **Zoning regulations (Agenda Item 44):** Would restrict data center construction to areas zoned for heavy industrial use, prohibit proximity to residential areas, schools, churches, and parks, restrict on-site power generation, and mandate closed-loop cooling systems for large facilities
- **Temporary moratorium (Agenda Item 46):** Would halt all new data center construction in Davidson County pending further regulation
Both bills were reviewed by the Planning Commission, which approved changes before sending them back to the Council, as reported by WKRN. If passed, they would require one more Council approval, likely at the next July meeting, per WSMV.
The controversy centers on DC BLOX, an Atlanta-based company planning a 202,000-square-foot data center adjacent to the Nashville Zoo requiring up to 50 megawatts of power. A petition opposing the project has garnered more than 500,000 signatures. The Nashville Zoo has publicly disputed DC BLOX's claims and warned that the power demand would be "catastrophic" for an already unreliable local grid, citing a nearly three-day outage during a February ice storm, according to the Nashville Scene.
Mayor Freddie O'Connell has filed a bill that would grant the city eminent domain authority to acquire the DC BLOX property, citing potential public uses including office space and a new fire department, per WKRN. The Mayor's office reportedly declined to offer incentives to DC BLOX during a March meeting. The land sale closing date was stated as July 6.
Nashville to use ticketed queuing system for data center public hearings
WSMV 4 Nashville
What to expect at Nashville’s data center public hearing
WSMV 4 Nashville
Nashville Zoo Rebuts DC BLOX on Proposed Data Center as Backlash Continues
Nashville Scene
Data center regulations up for public hearing
WKRN News 2
Multiple bills up for vote at Tuesday's Metro Council meeting
WKRN News 2
Jackson, Mississippi Pauses Data Center Construction Pending New Regulations
The City of Jackson, Mississippi has paused all data center construction until new regulations are drafted and approved, according to the Mississippi Free Press. City Council President Brian Grizzell confirmed the decision following a June 22 public hearing and two additional meetings held on Monday, per 16 WAPT.
The pause follows Grizzell's May proposal for a six-month moratorium and is linked to a proposal by Saxum Investment Company, an out-of-state firm, to rezone 230 acres on Forest Avenue Extension for a data center. Rezoning hearings for that site remain postponed until data center-specific regulations are in place, according to Jackson Director of Planning and Development Angela Brown.
Residents packed City Hall on Monday to voice opposition, with speakers raising concerns about:
- Air and water pollution
- Impacts on the municipal water system and power bills
- Construction noise
- Disproportionate health impacts on a predominantly Black community already facing elevated rates of asthma and respiratory illness
- Minimal permanent job creation
As reported by WLBT, some attendees called for an outright ban on data centers rather than a moratorium. A council member noted that residents' position was clear: they want a full ban rather than just a moratorium or new ordinances. Robert Ireland, representing Saxum Investment Company, was the sole speaker in favor of data center construction at the June 22 hearing, though he supported the adoption of regulations, per the Mississippi Free Press.
Council President Grizzell stated that "ground work" is essential before permitting such developments and emphasized the need to consult with engineers and environmentalists. He added that Jackson has more fundamental needs, such as improving schools and increasing grocery store access, per 16 WAPT. An additional public hearing on proposed regulations is anticipated, and the Clarion-Ledger published an op-ed from a local population health specialist arguing the project would exacerbate existing public health disparities.
The City of Jackson Pauses Data Center Construction Until It Passes Regulations
Mississippi Free Press
Proposed Jackson, Mississippi Data Center Faces Opposition Amid Health, Environmental Concerns
The Clarion-Ledger
Jackson residents pack City Hall to oppose data centers
WLBT
Jackson leaders consider temporary moratorium on data centers after two meetings
16 WAPT News Jackson