Arden Community voices opposition to proposed AI data center in Palm Beach County

Members of the Arden Community in Palm Beach County, including teachers, parents, and local leaders, held a news conference to voice strong opposition to a controversial proposed 200-acre AI data center, known as Project Tango. Key concerns cited by the community and the President of the Classroom Teachers Association include potential environmental harm to protected land, the constant humming noise the data center would generate, and its massive power and water demands. The proposed site off Southern Boulevard is located near protected environmental land and is only 1200 feet from Saddle View Elementary School. Parents, like one with two children at Saddle View Elementary, expressed significant worries about the 24/7 noise, fearing it would bombard children, negatively impact their health, and compromise their ability to play outdoors. Concerns were also raised about the potential for cognitive decline in children due to noise distractions affecting optimal learning conditions. The Classroom Teachers Association president emphasized that their opposition targets the specific location rather than data centers in general, stating that a heavy industrial use does not belong so close to a school. Palm Beach County Commissioners are slated to discuss the proposed data center at their upcoming meeting, indicating an active and ongoing public pushback against the project.