Important clarification regarding the proposed moratorium: Martin County Attorney Elysse Elder confirmed that the county received and deemed sufficient the data center application on October 12, 2026.

Because the application predates the proposed moratorium, county officials have stated that the Kanner Highway project would not be covered by it. 

Martin County residents deserve a voice in decisions that could permanently change our community.

A massive data center is being proposed in the South Florida Gateway industrial area along SW Kanner Highway, just west of I-95 near Stuart, Florida.

According to local reporting, the proposed development would occupy approximately 86 acres and include more than 950,000 square feet of data center facilities, with a reported electrical demand of approximately 100 megawatts.

For those of us who live nearby, this is not just another commercial development. It is a project that could have long-lasting consequences for our neighborhoods, environment, infrastructure, and quality of life.

Why We Are Concerned

1. Continuous Noise and Disruption

Industrial cooling equipment, electrical transformers, and backup generators can produce persistent noise. We deserve to know how nearby residential neighborhoods will be protected.

2. Enormous Electricity Demands

With a reported potential demand of approximately 100 megawatts, this facility could require significant electrical infrastructure. Residents deserve transparency about necessary upgrades, who will pay for them, and whether local utility customers could be affected.

3. Water Resources and Environmental Protection

Depending on the cooling technology used, large data centers can require substantial water resources. We need independent assessments of water consumption, stormwater management, generator emissions, and environmental impacts before any approval is granted.

4. Property Values and Neighborhood Character

Families have invested their savings, time, and futures in their Martin County homes. The potential effects of industrial noise, infrastructure, visual impacts, and proximity to a massive data center must be evaluated—not dismissed.

5. Transparency and Public Accountability

The development application was reportedly submitted on October 12, 2026, shortly before Martin County commissioners advanced a proposed one-year moratorium on Data Centers  (1st of 2 votes passed on Oct 13, 2026) -  meaning this project MAY BE EXEMPT because its development application predates the moratorium and  could potentially move forward under existing regulations despite the county’s effort to pause new data center development. Residents deserve transparency about this possible exemption and a meaningful opportunity to be heard before any approvals are granted.  The final public hearing and vote on the data center moratorium will begin at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, October 27th at the Martin County Administration Building, located at 2401 SE Monterey Road in Stuart. Public comment is generally welcomed right at the beginning of the meeting session.

Residents deserve a clear explanation of this determination and a meaningful opportunity to participate before decisions are finalized.

What We Are Demanding

We call on the Martin County Board of County Commissioners and all responsible county officials to:

1. Oppose and deny the proposed data center if it cannot demonstrate full compliance with applicable development standards and protections for nearby communities.

2. Require independent, publicly available studies addressing noise, water consumption, environmental impacts, electrical infrastructure, and residential compatibility.

3. Release the complete development application, site plans, developer information, and supporting documents.

4. Hold a publicly advertised community meeting specifically addressing this proposal, with opportunities for residents to ask questions.

5. Require the developer to bear legally attributable infrastructure costs rather than shifting project-specific expenses to taxpayers.

6. Fully explain the project’s status under the proposed data center moratorium and consider all lawful options to protect surrounding neighborhoods.

Our Community Is Worth Protecting

We recognize that responsible economic development can benefit Martin County. But economic growth should never come at the expense of environmental stewardship, neighborhood stability, public transparency, or residents’ quality of life.

Once a development of this magnitude is constructed, its consequences may be difficult or impossible to reverse.

We are asking our elected officials to put Martin County residents first. Please email the commissioners to let them know your thoughts! 

Sign this petition to demand transparency, accountability, independent impact assessments, and meaningful public participation before this proposed mega data center is allowed to move forward.

Please sign, share with your neighbors, and encourage fellow Martin County residents to make their voices heard.

Link to project on Martin County Proposed Development Site (District 3, South Florida Gateway Pud Lot Ind 2-3 Final Site Plan): https://aca-prod.accela.com/martinco/cap/CapDetail.aspx?type=1000&Module=DevReview&capID1=REC26&capID2=00000&capID3=00K77&agencyCode=MARTINCO

Commissioners Email: comish@martin.fl.us