Data center plan draws opposition

Community opposition is intensifying against the proposed Indian River State College Okee-One Data Center in Okeechobee, Florida. A grassroots petition is nearing 3,000 signatures, and residents are mobilizing for two key public events in April: a Board of County Commissioners hearing and a peaceful protest. The Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on April 23 regarding proposed amendments to the County Comprehensive Plan. These amendments include the creation of "Special Technology Opportunity Centers," a new policy pathway designed to encourage technology-focused development, including data centers. Opponents fear these changes could facilitate projects like Okee-One. Additionally, community members are organizing a protest on April 27 outside the Indian River State College Dixon Hendry Campus during an Indian River State College Foundation Board meeting. Organizer Wyatt Deihl emphasized the importance of protesting on "home turf" to influence college leadership. Residents are concerned about the data center's heavy water and power consumption, backup diesel generator emissions, air quality impacts, strain on local infrastructure, compatibility with the area's rural character, lack of transparency, and potential impacts on environmentally sensitive lands connected to the Lake Okeechobee watershed.