Protesters against proposed Fort Meade data center gather outside city hall

News ClipFOX 13 Tampa Bay·Fort Meade, Polk County, FL·2/19/2026

Protesters are opposing a proposed 4.4 million square foot data center project in Fort Meade, Florida. Residents are concerned about the environmental impact, water usage, and noise from the massive facility. The city mayor says the project will bring tax revenue benefits, but opponents argue the costs outweigh the benefits.

oppositionenvironmentalwater

Gov: Fort Meade City Hall, Polk County

FORT MEADE, Fla. - There were about a dozen protesters outside Fort Meade City Hall on Thursday ready to show they are not backing down, and they want a proposed data center project to be canceled. &quot;It&apos;s not good,&quot; said Kimberly Edmond, a Polk County woman against the project. &quot;