Citrus County halts data center projects amid residential pushback
Citrus County commissioners have enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center projects in the region due to residential pushback. This decision makes Citrus County one of the first in the Tampa Bay area to halt data center development amid concerns over environmental impacts and resource consumption. An existing proposed data center project in Lecanto, which was the catalyst for resident concerns, is not affected by the moratorium and is set for a vote next month.
Citrus County commissioners recently voted to enact a one-year moratorium on all new data center projects, making them one of the first in the Tampa Bay region to take such a stance. The halt aims to provide the commission with time to study the potential impacts of these facilities, which are designed to train and operate artificial intelligence systems.
The decision comes amidst significant residential pushback, particularly against a proposed data center in Lecanto, located at County Road 491 and Tram Road. While this specific project, put forth by Deltona Corporation, is not subject to the new moratorium (as its filing preceded the ban and it is scheduled for a vote next month), it served as the primary catalyst for community concerns. Residents voiced worries about the data center's potential strain on the local electric grid and its substantial water consumption, especially given Florida's current drought conditions and the area's limestone geology, which could lead to depletion or contamination of drinking water. Opponents emphasize that people moved to the area for its natural environment, not for large industrial structures.
Conversely, supporters of data center development argue that the moratorium could cause Citrus County to miss out on thousands of jobs and over $100 million in property tax value. Deltona Corporation, the company proposing the Lecanto site, did not respond to requests for comment.