As the Marion County Board of County Commissioners looks to schedule a workshop to discuss parameters on potential data centers coming to the area in the future, several residents have shared their opinions on the matter. Here are a few of the letters that we have received:
“I do not think that we need any more data centers here. Let alone anywhere else, we’re already in a drought. And we’re in Florida and in a drought. And if we put more data centers in Florida, we’re not going to have any water left. On top of that, the animals are gonna die. And we’re probably gonna end up being in a very bad crisis. People need to open their eyes, I vote no on data centers.” – Michelle Marchant, Ocala
“Data centers are a bigger hazard than a hurricane. They consume a huge amount of water and electricity. They pose health threats to humans and animals, and they are ugly. Marion County s taxpayers are getting paying more and more every passing year. New sinkholes, loss of precious land for our wildlife sounds like something we want to avoid all together. Besides, who wants big brother monitoring your every move and action much like what the data center they’re going to be doing. I think the city and county officials have padded their pockets for long enough without destroying more of Florida’s beautiful agriculture. No data centers in Marion County!” – Martin Marszalek, Ocala
“When we build or add additions to our home, we pay for all the electric and water we use. We are not subsidized by our neighbors. Data centers, owned by the wealthiest people on the planet, that are going to make billions from these investments, do not need us to pay their utility bills. They have and will make enough money to pay their own bills, just as every business in the Great State of Florida does every month. Just as every resident in the Great State of Florida does every month. This summer, we are seeing Florida’s Natural Springs beginning to go dormant. The amount of the precious rainfall, so far this year, The amount of water required to operate Data Centers range between 1 and 5 million gallons per day. That is more than Class 3 (0.65-6.5 mgpd), 4, 5 6, 7 & 8 (0.65 mgpd) Springs discharge each day. The amount of water could feasible deplete 1 Class 3 Spring or all Class 4 thru 8 Springs PER DAY. Our Springs support a myriad of wildlife life and plant life. Not to mention the aquifers that create these Springs supply millions of Floridians with life essential water. No Water = Desert Conditions. No Water = No Tax Revenue as people migrate to areas of the country that refuse Data Centers. The Average State Wide Accumulated Rainfall, for all 4 Regions of Florida, from Aug. 2025 – July 2026 is only 65%. We are already at loss of available water without the introduction of a Data Center that requires 1-5 Million Gallons of water per day. It is not the responsibility of Marion County citizens to provide any business in Marion County with their required utilities. Requiring us to pay the way (or even a portion thereof) for Billionaires to make Billions more, will not be popular with the citizens of this county.” – Raymond Foren, Marion County homeowner since 1991