POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay) — EnvironmentAugust 4, 2026Hillsborough

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners enacts moratorium on new data centers

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a temporary ban on new data center developments at their July 28 meeting. The board also directed county staff to review and potentially update the county's land development code regarding these facilities.

zoningdata centersland useManatee County
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay) — Environment

Why It Matters

This halts the approval of new data center projects in Manatee County while officials evaluate and potentially rewrite zoning regulations for the industry.

Key Facts

  • The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to implement a moratorium on data centers.
  • The vote took place during a meeting on July 28.
  • The board directed county staff to evaluate and potentially revise the land development code.
  • Manatee County is joining Hernando and Pasco counties in restricting data center development.

Who's Mentioned

personByron Donalds“Republican gubernatorial candidate who opposes statewide moratoriums.”locationManatee County“The local government enacting the moratorium.”organizationFort Meade LLC“Developer of a $2.6 billion data center campus in Polk County.”personAmanda Ballard“Manatee County Commissioner who presented a moratorium proposal.”personTal Siddique“Manatee County Commissioner who presented a moratorium proposal.”personBob McCann“Manatee County Commissioner who presented a moratorium proposal.”locationPasco“A neighboring county that has also taken action on data centers.”locationHernando“A neighboring county that has also taken action on data centers.”organizationManatee County Board of County Commissioners“The governing body that voted for the moratorium.”