Citizens Workshop on Data Centers Set for Aug. 24 in Ocala
A citizens' workshop is scheduled in Ocala, FL, organized by a local opposition group, to inform residents about data center impacts like water use, power demand, and noise. This comes as the Marion County Board of County Commissioners has directed staff to draft a 12-month permitting moratorium on data centers and is developing its own regulatory framework.
A community-organized Citizens Workshop on Data Centers is slated for August 24, 2026, at the Pine Avenue Police Station in Ocala, Florida. The event, promoted by the "No Data Center Marion" campaign and supported by the Sierra Club, aims to inform residents about various impacts of data centers, including water use, electric demand, sound, and local economic effects. Group administrator Brian Donnelly of the Marion County Florida Data Center Facebook group is organizing the event, which will also feature a T-shirt fundraiser to support future expert consultations.
This citizen-led initiative unfolds amidst growing local scrutiny of data center developments. In July, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted to schedule its own workshop for September 21, 2026, to establish a proactive framework for evaluating future data center applications. This move was influenced by newly enacted state legislation (Senate Bill 484) which preserves local zoning authority while setting statewide requirements for utility cost allocation and water use permitting. Public sentiment at the July meeting was largely against data center development, with residents expressing concerns over water consumption, noise, and the preservation of the county's rural and equestrian character.
Further demonstrating the county's cautious approach, Commissioners on August 4, 2026, postponed their initial workshop and instructed staff to draft a 12-month permitting moratorium on data centers. This proposed moratorium is expected to advance through the Land Development Regulation Commission review process. Brian Donnelly, a vocal opponent, had previously initiated online petitions advocating for such a moratorium and independent environmental studies. The upcoming citizens' workshop, however, operates independently of the county's official policymaking process, focusing instead on public education and addressing community questions.