What Residents Are Concerned About

Organizers cite a wide range of documented local impacts, backed by independent research and state legislative findings:

• Electrical demand of up to 300 megawatts — equivalent to the entire peak residential load of a small Florida county — with no defined cap
• 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 can can travel several miles, 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.

Supporters of hyperscale development often cite economic development, tax revenue, and technology investment. But residents argue the long-term costs to communities outweigh the benefits — particularly in rural areas that would bear the full burden of industrial impacts without proportionate economic return.

May 23 Public Forum Expected to Draw Statewide Attention

Momentum surrounding the movement is expected to intensify at the upcoming “Unite Citrus Public Forum” on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at The Old Schoolhouse, 2415 N Florida Ave, Hernando, FL. The free public event will feature speakers addressing industrial rezoning, environmental concerns, infrastructure impacts, electricity and water usage, noise and light pollution, and ways to take action.

Confirmed speakers include Florida gubernatorial candidate Bobby Williams (bwflgov.com) and Florida Chief Financial Officer candidate Dr. Frank W. Collige (frankforchange.com), reflecting the growing statewide political significance of data center expansion and land-use debates.

The event is non-partisan, free and open to all residents, environmental advocates, community leaders, and concerned citizens.

A National Wave of Bipartisan Opposition

Citrus County is far from alone. 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 are now actively organizing against large-scale data center projects nationwide, 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: Republican officials frequently cite concerns over tax incentives and grid strain, while Democrats focus on environmental and resource impacts.

In Utah, residents recently protested a proposed 60-square-mile AI data center project backed by businessman Kevin O’Leary, voicing concerns about water usage, emissions, and infrastructure strain. In Michigan, multiple towns enacted moratoriums following backlash over a massive AI data center tied to the Stargate initiative. And in Florida, a proposed data center project in Okeechobee County was recently scrapped amid growing public opposition.

Organizers in Citrus County also point to growing statewide coordination through initiatives like Florida Data Centers, which tracks proposed projects, zoning concerns, and community impacts across the state.

“There’s a growing awareness that this isn’t just about one project,” said Jason King, a Citrus County resident and volunteer with No Data Center Citrus. “Communities across the country are beginning to ask hard questions about who benefits, who pays the cost, and what kind of future these developments create.” he said.

Local Organizing Continues to Grow

No Data Center Citrus volunteers have built the movement through online petitions, street rallies, educational outreach, and community engagement at Howard’s Flea Market and other venues throughout the county. At public meetings, organizers say attendance has steadily increased as residents seek more transparency regarding zoning discussions and long-term planning decisions.

“We are seeing people from all walks of life getting involved because they understand what is at stake,” said Del W, a Citrus County resident. “This is about protecting our water, our land, and the future of rural Citrus County.”

As Florida positions itself as a potential hub for hyperscale development, the resistance in Citrus County appears to be growing rather than slowing — and organizers say they are only getting started.

“This is about making sure Citrus County has a future that reflects the people who live here,” organizers said. “Once this land is changed, it cannot be easily undone.”

EVENT DETAILS

Unite Citrus Public Forum – Saturday, May 23, 2026  |  4:00 – 6:00 PM

The Old Schoolhouse  |  2415 N Florida Ave, Hernando, FL

Free and open to the public  |  RSVP & Info

Sources & References

No Data Center Citrus

Unite Citrus Public Forum

Florida Data Centers Coalition

Data Center Watch — Opposition Report

Brookings Institution — Data Center Employment Effects

WUSF Public Media — Florida Data Center Proposals

arXiv — Hyperscale Data Center Constraints Research

New York Post — Utah Data Center Opposition

Tom’s Hardware — Michigan AI Data Center Moratoriums

WLRN — Okeechobee County Data Center Opposition

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Media Contact

No Data Center Citrus  |  nodatacentercitrus.org

Email: info@nodatacentercitrus.org  |  Phone: 352-593-8934

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