AI-Driven Data Center Boom Hits Local Opposition in Florida<br>Skip to contentSkip to site index

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Data center doubt: Why Florida is pushing back against hyperscale development<br>Local opposition has nixed or stalled proposals, creating uncertainty for developers chasing the AI boom

From left: Sonny Maken of ABC Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Ernie Cox of Project Tango, Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter Dan Diorio of Data Center Coalition with proposed data center sities in Indiantown, Fort Meade and Fort Pierce (ABC Florida East Coast Chapter, LinkedIn, Palm Beach County Commission, Getty; Illustration by Kevin Rebong/The Real Deal)

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By Grace McClung

Aug 6, 2026, 1:00 PM UTC

The AI boom has developers casting lines for hyperscale data center sites across the country. But in Florida, many counties aren’t biting. A slew of proposals have been met with moratoriums, zoning battles and community opposition, leaving several developments dead in the water.<br>While grassroots organizations and community officials argue hyperscale data centers strain the environment and local infrastructure, data center experts and real estate professionals warn that Florida’s growing resistance to the projects could threaten the state’s long-term economic development.

Developers have proposed at least a dozen hyperscale data centers across the state, attracted by Florida’s population growth, relatively low energy costs and available rural land. Here’s a map of those proposals, along with their statuses.<br>Subscribe to TRD Data to unlock this content<br>Subscribe

Florida isn’t new to the data center industry. The state already has more than 100 smaller-scale data centers across 19 markets, according to Data Center Map. These facilities handle localized computing tasks, such as hosting websites and digital records for nearby businesses, healthcare systems, banks and universities.<br>But hyperscale data centers are a different ball game. Built to support large-scale data storage, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, these centers can span millions of square feet and require massive amounts of electricity, water, land and infrastructure. As tech giants pour billions into AI, hyperscale data centers have become one of the most sought-after commercial real estate plays.<br>“We’re on an exponential demand curve right now for digital infrastructure,” said Dan Diorio, executive vice president of state policy and government affairs for the Data Center Coalition. “But we have really yet to see [Florida] emerge as a destination market for larger scale development.”

That’s in part due to the state’s hurricane risk and soggy topography, but it’s also a result of local pushback. At least 16 cities and counties in Florida have adopted or are considering moratoriums against new data center applications, halting development for up to a year while officials review potential consequences and figure out how to regulate the power-hungry projects.<br>Diorio said moratoriums send a “clear signal” on the uncertainty and unpredictability of development in a particular location.<br>“Moratoriums are concerning. They’re by definition temporary, but I worry that in effect they’re permanent,” he said. “When you create this much uncertainty, especially at the local level, as to whether or not this will be a place for development, I think other businesses will look at that as well and wonder the same thing.”<br>Florida counties push back<br>Last month, Palm Beach County became one of the clearest examples of backlash when commissioners voted to advance a one-year moratorium on new data center applications before rejecting Project Tango, a $2.6 billion data center planned for Loxahatchee, after hours of public opposition. The project, which would have been one of the largest hyperscale data centers in Florida, was rejected without prejudice, meaning the developer, PBA Holdings, can apply again. Records show PBA Holdings is a joint venture between Palm Beach Aggregates, Tennessee-based Phillips Inc., Michael S. Klein of Seattle and New York-based Ogden Cap Properties.

Stop Project Tango, an organization formed by community members, claims it “poses serious risks to public health” and could cause long-term consequences related to environmental protection, emergency response needs and declining property values. The group did not respond to requests for comment.<br>Palm Beach County wasn’t alone. Other developers yanked their proposals after encountering resistance. In February, Stan Nix’s Texas-based Timberline Real Estate Partners withdrew its proposal for Project Jarvis, a planned 15-million-square-foot hyperscale data center on a former citrus grove in St. Lucie County. The project drew opposition from local officials and community members concerned about its electricity and water usage, and the withdrawal came as Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed for legislation regulating AI data centers.<br>SIGN UP<br>In April, plans for the Silver Fox Data Center in...