Commission moves to bar data centers from county tax-abatement incentives

The Brevard County Board on April 7 directed staff to advertise an ordinance to remove data centers from eligibility for property-tax abatements and other local economic development incentives.

Commissioner sponsors said data centers typically require large continuous power and substantial cooling water, occupy large land parcels and tend to generate few permanent local jobs compared with the scale of their infrastructure demands. Commissioners and public commenters cited experiences elsewhere where hosting multiple data centers has strained local utilities and raised rates for residents.

Public speakers including community activists asked the county to protect local water and power resources and avoid long-term incentives that could amplify demand without substantial local employment benefits. One commenter noted a recent state change that allows extended abatement periods for data centers; staff confirmed the county has discretion to set eligibility in its local EDC policy and to remove certain industries from the abatement program.

The board approved a motion to advertise such an ordinance unanimously. If the board advances the ordinance after public hearings, the county's economic development incentive policy would be updated to exclude data centers from future abatement approvals.