Data center developer says 'we want to be a partner' with Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida officials are considering a moratorium on data centers following a proposal from Ryan Companies U.S. Inc. for "Project Swan," a 500,000-square-foot cloud data storage facility with a 100-megawatt power demand. The developer is actively engaging with the city to address community concerns regarding electricity and water usage, seeking a partnership as the city debates the project's future.
Lakeland, Florida, is at a crossroads regarding data center development as city officials weigh a moratorium on new facilities. This comes in response to a proposal from Ryan Companies U.S. Inc. for a project dubbed "Project Swan," a substantial data center planned for a 60-acre site at 923 Wilkinson Road.
Tyler Lohmiller, director of real estate development for Ryan Companies U.S., has publicly engaged with the City of Lakeland, emphasizing the developer's desire to "partner" and clarify misconceptions about the proposed facility. Lohmiller stated that Project Swan would be a "cloud data storage edge facility" rather than an AI data center, and upon its multi-year completion, it would span approximately 500,000 square feet with a peak electrical demand of 100 megawatts. The company expects to collaborate with Lakeland Electric for power supply, including a proposed 3.8-acre substation on the property.
Residents have voiced concerns, particularly regarding water consumption. Lohmiller asserted that the data center would not use water for cooling, only for employee sinks and restrooms. He added that if plans changed, the company would be open to partnering with the city's West Lakeland Wasteload Reduction facility, which is adjacent to the site. Despite the developer's outreach, as of July 6, no further formal applications for zoning or annexation have been filed for the Wilkinson Road property beyond the initial concept plan.