ARCADIA, FL – Following an intense three-hour public meeting packed with concerned residents, DeSoto County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday, June 23, to move forward with a one-year moratorium on all new data center applications.
Resident Backlash Sparks Action
The proposed freeze comes after deep community anxiety emerged over a massive, gas-powered hyperscale data center complex planned by the DCIP Group. The project, slated for a retired power plant site, could span anywhere from 800 to 1,300 acres.
Residents voiced significant concerns regarding the lack of concrete information on several key issues:
- Water Supply Strains: DCIP Group CEO Jon Brown stated the project’s daily water usage could range anywhere from zero to 3 million gallons.
- Noise Pollution: The scale of the gas turbines required for the facility’s complicated microgrid raised noise alarms.
- Scale of Development: The sheer size of the campus felt overwhelming for the rural county.
“Residents should not be asked to accept unknown water impacts based on future promises,” stated Arcadia resident Asha Stalnaker during the public comment section.
What the Moratorium Means
The participating county commissioners directed the county attorney to draft the official one-year moratorium ordinance. While the pause aims to give officials time to assess if these massive tech projects align with the community’s future, it will not affect existing applications. This means DCIP Group’s current rezoning request will still be reviewed.
Local leaders emphasized that they are prioritizing the voices of their constituents over rapid industrial expansion. “I can’t find anybody that wants this,” noted Arcadia pastor Nathan Headrick, a sentiment echoed by commissioners who stated they are looking at the issue much more carefully now.
Next Steps
The moratorium is not yet law. Before the one-year freeze can officially take effect, the county attorney must finalize the ordinance language, and commissioners must hold a final vote to pass it.
