FORT MEADE, FL — A proposed artificial intelligence (AI) data center project in Fort Meade is now facing a new hurdle, despite receiving unanimous local approval.
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the City of Fort Meade voted 5–0 to approve plans for a large-scale data center development spanning approximately 1,330 acres. The project, expected to be operational by 2028, has been viewed by some as an opportunity for economic growth in the area.
However, newly released information from the Southwest Florida Water Management District indicates that the project cannot move forward just yet.
In a letter from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the District stated that the city does not currently have the necessary water use permit to support the data center’s projected demand. While the city noted that its existing water and wastewater systems could handle the development, the District clarified that the anticipated water usage is not included under the current permit and must be approved separately.
Because of this, the project now requires additional approval from the District’s Governing Board before any water use tied to the facility can begin.
The letter also notes that the District is still awaiting further information related to environmental permitting, which was requested earlier this year.
As the project moves through the approval process, it has sparked strong reactions within the community, particularly over concerns about long-term water use.
Residents who spoke during public discussions voiced worries about the potential impact on local resources and the town’s future. “We survived 175 years without it, and we can survive another 175 years,” one resident said. “All the money in the world won’t buy more water,” another added. “Please don’t buy out the health of your community.”
Data centers—especially those supporting artificial intelligence—are known to require significant amounts of water and electricity to operate, often raising questions in smaller communities about sustainability and infrastructure capacity.
At this time, the project remains in a holding pattern until the required permits are addressed and approved through the proper channels.
As discussions continue, many in Fort Meade and surrounding communities are watching closely, with some residents in nearby towns already voicing concerns and hoping to avoid similar developments in their own communities.
SOURCE: Southwest Florida Water Management District
