North Port city manager says threats surrounding data center drove development director to resign
North Port Development Services Director Alaina Ray resigned after threats and harassment linked to controversy over a proposed data center. City Manager Jerome Fletcher defended Ray, rejected allegations that she recruited developers, and said the City Commission’s temporary data center moratorium will allow officials to evaluate regulations and infrastructure, water and transparency concerns.
North Port Development Services Director Alaina Ray resigned after what City Manager Jerome Fletcher described as threats, harassment and intimidation surrounding a proposed data center. Fletcher said Ray no longer felt safe in the community and rejected online allegations that she used prior connections in Loudoun County, Virginia, to bring developers to North Port or personally benefit from the project.
Fletcher said North Port’s land development code rewrite began years before Ray joined the city and was adopted by the City Commission in August 2024 after public review. The commission has since approved a temporary moratorium on data center development while officials assess potential regulations and impacts involving development, infrastructure, water resources and transparency. The city said it may consult legal counsel and refer threats to law enforcement.