Lakeland residents voice concerns over proposed data center
Lakeland residents are voicing strong opposition to a proposed 600,000-square-foot data center, dubbed "Project Swan," citing concerns over power usage, water consumption, and noise. Despite the project being in its early review stages, community members are preparing to speak at city meetings, prompting city leaders to assure that all concerns will be addressed during the lengthy review process.
Residents in Lakeland, Florida, are expressing significant concerns regarding a proposed 600,000-square-foot data center, internally referred to as "Project Swan." The project is slated for a site across from resident John Shaw's home, who shared his apprehension about the development transforming a long-standing cow pasture.
Opposition has been building on local Facebook groups, with community members raising alarms about potential issues such as increased power and water usage, as well as noise pollution. Several residents plan to speak at an upcoming Monday meeting, even though city leaders have clarified that the data center application is not yet on the official agenda for public hearing.
Lakeland city officials confirm they have received an application for a data center project, which is currently in its very early review stages. Lakeland Commissioner Chad McLeod indicated that concerns like water usage are precisely what city staff are evaluating. The comprehensive review process is expected to take several months, with city leaders anticipating more information after meeting with the developer on Wednesday.