Lt. Gov. Jay Collins visits Charlotte County to discuss AI data centers

Current Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, a candidate for Florida governor, is visiting Port Charlotte this afternoon to discuss the future of artificial intelligence data centers, a topic that has sparked debate among residents.Port Charlotte resident Michael Annen shared his concerns about the strain such facilities could place on local infrastructure. "The resources that you consume versus what's available in the area already seems excessive. Right now, we're struggling to get the infrastructure back just from the past storms that we've dealt with for years. So no, I wouldn't think that would be appropriate," Annen said. Last week, Charlotte County leaders discussed the possibility of developing regulations to prepare for potential interest from developers. Supporters of data centers argue they could bring millions in tax revenue, construction jobs, new investments, and high-paying tech positions, with some jobs reportedly paying more than $100,000 annually. Annen acknowledged the importance of progress but emphasized the need to consider humanitarian aspects. "I understand things got to progress, and data, the internet and AI are all-consuming. But I think we got to look at more of the humanitarian aspects of things also," he said. Concerns about the environmental impact of data centers have also been raised, particularly regarding their significant land, electricity, and water requirements. Resident Mark Pyle pointed to the region's ongoing drought as a major issue. "It's for us to drink. And I think we were in a big drought, and pretty much every year we seem to be in a drought. This year, more than perhaps normal," Pyle said. Pyle had a direct message for Collins and local commissioners. "Don't do it," he said. As of now, discussions about AI data centers in Charlotte County remain hypothetical, with no specific projects proposed. Collins is scheduled to speak in Port Charlotte at 1 p.m. this afternoon.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.