Okaloosa County commissioners opt to regulate data centers, not ban them
Okaloosa County commissioners have opted to regulate data centers within the county rather than imposing a ban or moratorium. Staff will now draft a plan focusing on potential locations, power and water demands, noise, lighting, buffers, and conditional-use approvals. This approach aims to establish rules proactively before any data center development applications are submitted.
The Okaloosa County Commission discussed the future of data center development, deciding against a ban or moratorium, an approach taken by many other Northwest Florida counties. Instead, the commission, including District 2 Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel and District 4 Commissioner Chairman Trey Goodwin, agreed that data centers are likely part of the future and the county should proactively establish regulations.
Commission staff will now develop a plan addressing various aspects of data center development, including suitable locations, power and water demands, noise levels, lighting, and necessary buffers. The board also considered implementing case-by-case conditional-use approvals for such facilities.
Chairman Goodwin expressed concern about the county falling behind technologically if it were to ban or pause data center growth. Staff is expected to present an initial regulatory plan within 60 days, aiming to set clear guidelines before developers apply to build in Okaloosa County.