Citrus County Commissioners temporarily halted a plan to move forward on data centers to allow members more time to weigh the positive and negative aspects of the facility on the community this week.
The moratorium is for 12 months so commissioners can assess possible regulations. More specifically, the measure would pertain to "building permits, development orders and rezonings" associated with the massive centers.
So what are the pros and cons?
"A moratorium on data centers in Citrus County would shut the door on billions of dollars in private investment, hundreds of high-paying jobs, and new tax revenue that can help lower the burden on working families while funding critical local infrastructure," President of Defend Forgotten America Action Jenn Pellegrino said.
"Projects like the Fort Meade data center in neighboring Polk County show what responsible development can look like under President Donald J. Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Plan, generating hundreds of millions in city revenue. Governor DeSantis signed into law a bill that establishes clear protections for ratepayers while protecting the environment," she added.
"Adopting the Bernie Sanders/Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez playbook of outright bans on data centers won’t protect Citrus County residents. It will only ensure the county loses out on the jobs, investments, and economic growth that neighboring communities are actively working to attract," Pellegrino concluded.
Deltona Corporation, a Florida-based real estate and home development company, is asking the county to rezone approximately 800 acres at the Holder Industrial Park to include data centers.
County Commissioner Diana Finegan was a bit more skeptical, leading to a temporary pause that drew passionate approval from county residents. Finegan argued that the fast-evolving rise of artificial intelligence-infused centers, along with more time to evaluate regulations, necessitated the moratorium.
Citrus residents even wore anti-data center shirts. Calls for a permanent moratorium were even discussed, with some residents telling commissioners that an approval could cost them their jobs in the next election.
Moreover, detractors have argued that the facilities demand a massive amount of electricity and water for cooling, would damage the local environment, and create noise pollution for nearby residents. Gov. DeSantis also signed a bill establishing regulations for data centers earlier this month.
It appears the fight is not over, but how Citrus County and Florida handle data centers in the future remains anyone's guess.
Your drinking water is under attack from overdevelopment!
Be aware!