Several counties along the Florida Panhandle have moved to ban data center developments.
Walton County adopted a “complete and outright permanent ban on data centers,” WEAR-TV reports.
Walton County bans data centers, Pensacola city councilman hopes to mirror ordinancehttps://t.co/hoFZ9ZKbPP
— WEAR ABC 3 (@weartv) June 17, 2026
WEAR-TV has more:
This also includes large load centers if they require more than 50 megawatts.
The ordinance was adopted unanimously at a Walton County commission meeting last week.
The rule takes effect immediately.
It’s expected that revisions may come in the future to comply with state laws.
The decision to adopt a ban is causing a chain reaction, as a Pensacola city councilman says he’s pushing for a similar ordinance.
“For those of you that aren’t aware, Walton County, the county commission, just passed a an ordinance that would prohibit data centers from being constructed in their boundaries,” Councilman Charles Bare said. “And I am working on an ordinance that we can consider for July that will kind of mirror that.”
“The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) made it clear that sprawling data centers designed to meet the demands of AI technology are not welcome in Walton County,” the Walton County Commission stated.
Nearby Jackson County also banned data centers.
AI data centers bring major risks with limited benefits – Jackson County says NO https://t.co/IrejcjWha7 via @OutLoudNews
— America Out Loud News (@OutLoudNews) June 16, 2026
WFSU explained further:
Jackson County commissioners have unanimously agreed to ban data centers, associated accessory structures, and affiliated businesses.
The vote came after strong opposition from community members like Elijah Simmons. He says he’s concerned about the impact data centers, which are often linked to heavy water use, can have on the environment.
“These aren’t regular data centers,” Simmons says. “This isn’t storage for your files. This is a giant computer that requires cooling, and the cheapest way is an open-loop evaporation-based water cooling system.”
Other residents say they think the commission was too quick to make a decision.
Last month, the commission had voted to put a one-year moratorium on data center projects while they studied the issue. This week’s meeting changed that plan, putting a long-term ban in place instead. That ban will take effect June 23.
In addition, Wakulla County joined the list of Florida counties to ban data centers.
Wakulla becomes latest Florida county to restrict data center construction
Reporting by @FabrizioGowdy#FlaPolhttps://t.co/oZD18LNoEG
— Florida Politics (@Fla_Pol) June 16, 2026
Florida Politics shared further:
The vote came even as the board’s attorney cautioned that an indefinite ban put the county on a riskier legal footing than a temporary moratorium.
Acknowledging the packed meeting room and numerous speakers in favor of the ban, Commissioner Ralph Thomas argued constituents clearly had an “appetite” for a ban.
Most residents who spoke during public comment cited water usage and environmental concerns as their biggest reason for opposing data centers. Wakulla County is home to Wakulla Springs, the most extensive submerged cave network in North America.
“Wakulla County’s greatest asset is not something that we built … but actually something that we inherited: our natural resources, our water, our coastline, our springs, our river, our fishery,” said local resident Hunter Levine, a full-time fishing podcaster.
Commissioners leaned heavily into SB 484, which the Legislature passed in March to regulate data centers. Among other things, the law reaffirms local governments’ authority to restrict data center development through their comprehensive planning and land development regulations.
“It’s a unanimous ‘no,’” said Commissioner Quincee Messersmith, taking a lighthearted jab at those who have criticized the board for unanimously approving developments in the past. Stopping overdevelopment has become a rallying cry in Wakulla County, and Messersmith has drawn a Primary challenger who has positioned herself as a slow-growth candidate.
