Large-scale data center moratorium
Summary
Residents urged the board to ban or put an immediate moratorium on hyperscale data centers in western Martin County until independent environmental and water studies are done. The county administrator also floated a research/travel fund, which Ciampi opposed.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 38
- Last 30 days
- 34
Rising — discussed at 4 meetings since Sep 15, 2026, up from 1 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Unknown potential power, water, and infrastructure demands of 100–500+ megawatt facilities.
Residents concerned about water, power, and rural character if restrictions are adopted.
Data center developers and landowners seeking industrial development could face delays or bans.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Board of County Commissioners — October 27, 2026
Commissioners adopted a one-year moratorium on accepting new large-scale data center applications after nearly two hours of public opposition. A 959,000-square-foot data center off Canorr Highway filed just before the deadline, so it escapes the pause — residents are watching that review closely.
Board of County Commissioners — October 13, 2026
The county is hitting pause on accepting applications for hyperscale data centers for one year while staff study 26 regulatory areas. Residents overwhelmingly supported it, citing water use, noise, wildlife and hurricane risk. A 100-megawatt application filed the day before escapes the moratorium.
Board of County Commissioners — September 29, 2026
Residents urged the board to ban or put an immediate moratorium on hyperscale data centers in western Martin County until independent environmental and water studies are done. The county administrator also floated a research/travel fund, which Ciampi opposed.
Board of County Commissioners — September 15, 2026
Nearly a dozen residents urged the board to adopt a moratorium or outright ban on hyperscale AI data centers, citing water use, power demand, noise, and economic displacement. The board discussed a potential moratorium slated for a future meeting and tangled over whether the Hobe Sound rezoning could open the door to data centers.
Board of County Commissioners — August 25, 2026
Residents warned that hyperscale data centers would strain water, power, air quality and privacy. The board voted 4-1 to have staff bring back a one-year moratorium item while attorneys research SB 180 and SB 484 — the actual moratorium still needs future votes.
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