Story perspectives

Okee-One Data Center Cancelled After Grant Pull, 3K Petition

5/2/2026

Center

Commissioners Halt

County commissioners removed the Okee-One project’s Special Technology Opportunity Centers designation, effectively halting the data center plan.
Officials voted to cancel Okee-One data center on Florida School for Boys site after a $1.5 million grant was withdrawn.
A petition against the 9–10 MW project gathered over 3,000 signatures, triple its goal.
Department of Commerce said Indian River State College misrepresented needs and must return half grant.

Left

Mayor Wilson Moratorium

Residents in Lyon Township compared the 1.8-million-square-foot data center to 32 football fields at a packed town meeting.
Mayor Katie Wilson said Seattle is weighing a one-year moratorium on siting large data facilities.
A petition against the 9–10 megawatt project gathered over 3,000 signatures, three times its goal.
City Light warned the added load could strain power for existing customers, prompting new terms.

History

Historical Context

In October 2011 Facebook announced its first data center outside the United States, locating it in Luleå, Sweden, where abundant renewable electricity and cool climate reduce cooling costs. The facility later became part of Facebook’s network of 21 data centers worldwide (2023). Community opposition to such projects has since spurred stricter permitting and renewable-energy requirements in the U.S.

1 of 3

Commissioners Halt

County commissioners removed the Okee-One project’s Special Technology Opportunity Centers designation, effectively halting the data center plan.
Officials voted to cancel Okee-One data center on Florida School for Boys site after a $1.5 million grant was withdrawn.
A petition against the 9–10 MW project gathered over 3,000 signatures, triple its goal.
Department of Commerce said Indian River State College misrepresented needs and must return half grant.

1 / 3