Guest editorial: Kevin Doyle
Florida’s economy has long been defined by tourism, real estate, and the industries that serve them. That foundation has served our country well, but the next generation of economic growth will run on something else: digital infrastructure. The systems that support modern healthcare, logistics, financial services, and Florida’s military and aerospace operations all rely on data centers. Our state already has some of the fastest-growing technology corridors in the country, and there is a clear opportunity to make data center investments the next centerpiece. Missing that opportunity through misinformation and falsehoods would be a mistake and one that will hold Florida back for generations.
The reasons for welcoming investment in digital infrastructure are well documented. Data centers generate significant tax revenue that in return funds schools, hospitals, and emergency services without placing significant strain on local services. For example, in Loudoun County, Virginia, every dollar the county spends on data center services generates $26 in tax revenue, and as a result, the county has lowered its residential property tax rate each year for the past decade. Additionally, data centers provide utilities with the financial certainty they need to invest in power generation and transmission upgrades that benefit all ratepayers. States with large-scale load demand growth often see more stable and even lower electricity rates as large users help spread fixed infrastructure costs across a larger customer base.
Beyond fiscal and grid benefits, data centers generate sustainable economic activity that helps nations prosper. The construction of a single facility employs hundreds of skilled craftsmen, including electricians, engineers, and mechanical contractors, and wages reflect the precision and technical demands of the work. Once these facilities are operational, they will support long-term careers in technology operations, cybersecurity, and facilities management. The combination of construction activity, permanent employment and a stable tax base is a game-changer for a state working to diversify its economic base beyond seasonal industries.
Unfortunately, what’s happening in counties across Florida and the debate surrounding moratoriums is troubling. We have seen counties such as Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and Pinellas consider and pass moratoriums that suspend data center applications for up to 12 months. Local governments certainly have the right to make these decisions, but this would send a signal that investment in the county is uncertain and likely not welcome. Honestly, this isn’t California or New York, which are famous for preferring to regulate before they fully understand the problem, or Florida, which has been in business for decades and is known for its attitude of benefiting all communities across the state.
If we build, Florida will succeed. There is an opportunity here to capture a significant share of the data center investment that is currently reshaping the American economy, and that requires a willingness to compete. Commissioners solving these problems across the state would do well to focus their energies on developing clear and simple standards, rather than a blanket moratorium, that give communities confidence and innovators a path to building with confidence. This is a model that has worked elsewhere, and it works here. Local governments can lead the way in Florida’s future economic prosperity if they choose to do so, and that can start by being open to business instead of closing the door to opportunity.
Kevin Doyle is vice president of national affairs for the Consumer Energy Alliance.
