🌅 ⚡ New Fort Pierce Data Center Proposed

It's Friday! Remember that poll I sent out earlier this week about whether you wanted to see me do a meeting recap video series? Well, I made a rough cut and wanted to show you all. This one breaks down the Fort Pierce city attorney situation and Project Orchid all in one go. These do take a lot to produce, so they'll eventually be for Patreon and People Pass members only, but I'm sharing this one broad to get your thoughts. Check it out here.

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☀️ Day: High of 92°F | Couple of thunderstorms, 88% chance of rain.
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Remember that wave pool project everyone was talking about? That was the last big proposal for this land. Now there is data center being proposed on the same land. Here is the quick video breakdown 🏗️.

A company called Willow Lakes LLC owns approximately 200 acres at the northwest corner of I-95 and West Midway Road in Fort Pierce. The developer is Devcon Digital, which is calling the project Project Neptune. They have filed a rezoning application with the City of Fort Pierce.

What is being proposed 📋:

Why this site: The property already has two FPL high voltage transmission easements crossing it and a major substation sitting directly south. A large man made lake already on site is intended for cooling instead of municipal drinking water. Direct I-95 access means traffic does not route through residential streets.

How this process works: Technical Review Committee heard this on August 20th. Next is the Planning and Zoning Board, then the Fort Pierce City Commission. Residents can weigh in at both the Planning and Zoning meeting and at the City Commission meeting. The full application record is public and includes a traffic impact analysis, environmental assessment and drainage analysis. The developer also maintains a public knowledge center with answers to common questions.

What's next: Planning and Zoning Board date has not yet been noticed. We will be following this closely 📅.

Read the full story here

Vero Beach City Council unanimously approved phased water and sewer rate increases beginning October. The combined bill will rise from $83.54 to $122 by 2030, adding about $11.38 monthly. Wastewater rates increase 15% annually for two years, then 10% and 5%. Water rates rise 10%, 7.5%, 5% and 5%. The increases fund $217 million in capital improvements including a new wastewater treatment facility to replace the 50-year-old plant.

👉 Read more (WQCS)

Port St. Lucie property owners will receive credits on their 2026-2027 solid waste fees from a $24 million lawsuit settlement with Waste Pro over the 2021 garbage crisis. Residents who owned homes since 2022 get $364 credits; newer residents receive $64. The $482.16 solid waste fee becomes $118.16 for long-term owners. Those who moved between city homes can claim the full $364 through February 20.

👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)

Martin County commissioners voted 4-1 to discuss a possible data center moratorium at their next meeting following community concerns about hyperscale facilities. Residents worry about impacts on air quality, noise, water usage and electrical infrastructure. The proposed one-year pause would give commissioners time to develop regulations. County staff will present information about the county's authority under state laws SB 180 and SB 484.

👉 Read more (WPTV)

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