The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Okeechobee County
Mixed Data Center Policies
Florida’s rules require large data centers to cover their utility-service costs, and water permits may involve added planning and hearings that delay projects; utility service can be denied to some facilities. Qualifying large centers can receive sales-tax breaks, while separate access controls apply to the state’s own data center.
Rating and summary from Florida statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Okeechobee County.
Specific to Okeechobee County only.
failed · County measureRemoves the proposed special technology opportunity center provisions—which could have enabled data center development—from the county’s pending comprehensive plan amendments.Okeechobee County Comprehensive Plan Amendment—Special Technology Opportunity Centers (2026)
What this means
Removing the proposed special technology opportunity centers section would take away a possible planning pathway for data center development, making expansion somewhat harder. It does not create a data-center ban or new operating rules, and the hearing was continued for revisions (the section was removed).
People behind it
- Okeechobee County Planning Board
Identified as the body that brought the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment to the Board of County Commissioners.
- Bill Royce
Okeechobee County Community Development Director who initiated the discussion and presented the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
The Board unanimously removed the Special Technologies Opportunities Centers section and all related references from the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments. The hearing was continued to May 14, 2026, so the proposed special technology-center framework—including any pathway it could have provided for data centers—was not adopted as presented.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data