About This Event
Data centers are expanding rapidly across Florida, bringing promises of investment and economic growth alongside questions about electricity demand, water use, land development and political influence.
Join Suncoast Searchlight and Seeking Rents for a public conversation about what data centers are, why developers are looking to Southwest Florida and what these projects could mean for local communities.
Journalists covering the issue locally and statewide will share what their reporting has uncovered, explain the decisions now taking shape and discuss the potential benefits and tradeoffs. The program will include time for audience questions.
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026
Check in/community 5:30 p.m., Program from 6–7:30 p.m.
Jacaranda Library
4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice, FL
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.
Meet the panelists
Jason Garcia
Founder, publisher and accountability reporter, Seeking Rents
Award-winning investigative journalist covering the influence of business and special interests on Florida politics and public policy. His recent reporting has examined the rapid expansion of data centers across the state and the political forces shaping their growth.
Alice Herman
Investigative Reporter, Suncoast Searchlight
Alice has led Suncoast Searchlight's reporting on the proposed hyperscale data center in DeSoto County, using hundreds of public records to report on community concerns and county decisions surrounding one of the region's largest development proposals.
Christian Casale
Government Reporter, Suncoast Searchlight
Christian covers local government, growth and public policy across Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. His reporting helps explain how decisions made by elected officials shape communities, including Sarasota County's response to proposed data center development.
Emily Mahoney
Energy Reporter, Tampa Bay Times
Emily reports on energy, utilities and environmental policy across Florida. Her reporting has examined the electricity demand and statewide implications of the growing data center industry, including how the state is handling its regulation.
About This Event
Data centers are expanding rapidly across Florida, bringing promises of investment and economic growth alongside questions about electricity demand, water use, land development and political influence.
Join Suncoast Searchlight and Seeking Rents for a public conversation about what data centers are, why developers are looking to Southwest Florida and what these projects could mean for local communities.
Journalists covering the issue locally and statewide will share what their reporting has uncovered, explain the decisions now taking shape and discuss the potential benefits and tradeoffs. The program will include time for audience questions.
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026
Check in/community 5:30 p.m., Program from 6–7:30 p.m.
Jacaranda Library
4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice, FL
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.
Meet the panelists
Jason Garcia
Founder, publisher and accountability reporter, Seeking Rents
Award-winning investigative journalist covering the influence of business and special interests on Florida politics and public policy. His recent reporting has examined the rapid expansion of data centers across the state and the political forces shaping their growth.
Alice Herman
Investigative Reporter, Suncoast Searchlight
Alice has led Suncoast Searchlight's reporting on the proposed hyperscale data center in DeSoto County, using hundreds of public records to report on community concerns and county decisions surrounding one of the region's largest development proposals.
Christian Casale
Government Reporter, Suncoast Searchlight
Christian covers local government, growth and public policy across Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. His reporting helps explain how decisions made by elected officials shape communities, including Sarasota County's response to proposed data center development.
Emily Mahoney
Energy Reporter, Tampa Bay Times
Emily reports on energy, utilities and environmental policy across Florida. Her reporting has examined the electricity demand and statewide implications of the growing data center industry, including how the state is handling its regulation.