DeSoto County data center CEO answers water and power concerns

ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK)—The CEO of a company proposing a data center in DeSoto County is addressing concerns from locals about the project's impact on utilities and water resources.

Jon Brown, CEO of DeSoto County Industrial Park, told WINK Investigates that the facility plans to operate independently of the power grid by using infrastructure from a former 340-megawatt power plant on site.

This summer, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law new regulations requiring AI data centers to pay their own utility costs, so customers don't end up paying more, but Brown said staying off the grid has been the plan since before the law took effect.

"Being a former power plant and having all the infrastructure to re-energize that power plant now allows us to be behind the meter, where we don't stress the grid, we don't impact the ratepayers," Brown said.

Water usage emerged as a major concern at a WINK Listens event held in Arcadia.

“Where is that (water) going to come from? I’m on a well,” said local resident Don Beal-Viar.

Brown could not provide an exact amount of water the data center would use each day. When asked if the facility would be attached to the city's water supply, he outlined a priority system for water sourcing.

"That's our last priority for water is groundwater," Brown said. "We were going to go reclaim water from the city, water we collect from the campus, and lastly, as our final backstop, we will be using groundwater."

The plant is working with the City of Arcadia to use reclaimed water from the sewage treatment plant, though that agreement is still in the planning stages.

Brown also said new technology helps reduce water needs by shifting from evaporative cooling systems to closed-loop systems.

"These sites are designed with recirculating cooling systems, similar to what's in your car, like you don't add water to your car very often, and that's how they operate now," Brown said.

While many neighbors have spoken out against the proposed data center, Brown said he has worked with the community by holding listening sessions and town halls. He said he welcomes tough questions from skeptics.

"It's not always a friendly crowd, either," Brown said. "I don't want to just hear from people who are pro; that doesn't do me any good. I want to hear the concerns from the people who have real hard questions."

If final approval is given, Brown said construction takes anywhere from 14 to 18 months. Phase one is expected to add 25 jobs, with plans to expand to six phases.