FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — May 17, 2026

Media Contact: 

No Data Center Citrus
Email: info@nodatacentercitrus.org 
Website: nodatacentercitrus.org
Event: https://nodatacentercitrus.org/unite-citrus-public-forum/  
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Opposition to Hyperscale Data Centers Surges in Citrus County

No Data Center Citrus Announces 6,000+ Supporters Ahead of Major Public Forum on May 23

CITRUS COUNTY, FL — Citrus County residents opposing industrial rezoning and hyperscale data center development will gather at the “Unite Citrus Public Forum” on Saturday, May 23, 2026, as the grassroots initiative No Data Center Citrus (NDC) announces its movement has surpassed 6,000 supporters. 

The free non-partisan public event will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at The Old Schoolhouse, 2415 N Florida Ave, Hernando, FL. It will feature guest speakers addressing industrial rezoning, infrastructure expansion, environmental concerns, electricity and water usage, noise and light pollution, economic impacts, and ways to take action. Confirmed speakers include gubernatorial candidate Bobby Williams (bwflgov.com) and Florida Chief Financial Officer candidate Dr. Frank W. Collige (frankforchange.com), reflecting the growing statewide significance of data center expansion and land-use policy debates.

No Data Center Citrus was formed in response to proposals to rezone hundreds of acres in the Holder/Lecanto corridor for heavy industrial use, potentially clearing the way for hyperscale data center facilities tied to artificial intelligence and cloud computing expansion. Volunteers have built the movement through online petitions, street rallies, educational outreach, and organizing at Howard’s Flea Market and other public venues throughout the county.

Residents and organizers cite a wide range of documented concerns, including:

• Electrical demand of up to 300 megawatts — equivalent to the entire peak residential load of a small Florida county — with no defined cap and no plan for rate impact on residents
• Water consumption of potentially millions of gallons per day drawn from the Floridan Aquifer, with no proposed withdrawal limits or aquifer impact study required
• 24/7 industrial noise, including low-frequency noise that travels farther than standard noise ordinances measure, penetrates structures, and is associated with sleep disruption and chronic stress
• Permanent land use change across 800+ acres, with heavy industrial zoning that is rarely reversed once approved
• Human and wildlife health impacts from diesel generator emissions, chemical cooling agents, and habitat destruction
• Electronic waste and decommissioning risk, as data center facilities have 10–15 year operational lifespans with no financial bond or cleanup plan currently required
• Minimal permanent employment — Google’s 500-acre campus in Kansas City is projected to create just 200 permanent jobs. A Virginia state legislative study found a typical large data center employs approximately 50 full-time workers, about half of them contract positions. A Brookings Institution study confirmed that data centers “often promise only dozens to a few hundred permanent workers” while construction jobs are temporary — and that tax subsidies can cost communities over $2 million per permanent job created.

The Citrus County effort is part of a rapidly growing national movement. According to a report by Data Center Watch — a research firm whose clients include AI companies and major U.S. tech firms — more than 188 opposition groups across the country are now actively organizing against large-scale data center projects, and an estimated $98 billion in projects were blocked or delayed in the second quarter of 2025 alone. The report found that resistance is bipartisan, with Republican officials frequently citing concerns over tax incentives and grid strain, while Democrats focus on environmental and resource impacts.

 “No Data Center Citrus represents a growing coalition of residents who do not want heavy industry and data center development in our county.” said Jason King, an volunteer with No Data Center Citrus.

The May 23 Unite Citrus Public Forum is free and open to all residents, environmental advocates, community leaders, and concerned citizens.

Event Details:
Unite Citrus Public Forum
Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
The Old Schoolhouse | 2415 N Florida Ave, Hernando, FL

Additional information, technical facts, and community impact documentation can be found at nodatacentercitrus.org. Event details and RSVP: nodatacentercitrus.org/unite-citrus-public-forum.