A planned 2,000+ acre data center in Osceola County draws concerns from residents
A planned hyperscale data center on over 2,200 acres in Osceola County, Florida, is raising significant concerns among local residents regarding its impact on agricultural land, water resources, and wildlife. Local government entities, including Osceola County, hold the authority to approve or deny the project, with a state senator emphasizing that utility companies and developers should cover associated costs rather than ratepayers.
A large-scale hyperscale data center project, planned for over 2,200 acres off Canoe Creek Road in Osceola County, Florida, is generating considerable local concern. Residents and conservation photographers like Angelo Chiarelli express worries about the rapid disappearance of agricultural land, potential impacts on water reserves, and wildlife. Farmers, such as Aaron Mick of Mick Farms, note increased crowding and traffic due to overall development, though they remain unsure of the data center's specific impact on their business.
CBRE is advertising the site, noting its service by Duke Energy and significant permitted water resources. Duke Energy affirmed its legal obligation to support approved economic development projects and highlighted a proposed rate decrease for customers by 2027.
Florida's Senate Bill 484, enacted this summer, grants local governments authority over large-scale planning and land development for "large-load customers" like data centers. Florida Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith stressed that utility companies and developers, not general ratepayers, should bear the financial burden of such projects, referencing explicit state statutes. Smith also urged Osceola County residents to contact their local leaders, as the county commissioners will ultimately decide the fate of this massive development.