Brevard County commissioners voted 7-0 on April 8, 2026, to prohibit property tax abatements for artificial intelligence data centers. The decision comes after commissioners expressed concerns about the high water and power demands of such facilities and their limited job creation potential. The move affects any future AI data center proposals in the county, which now must seek alternatives to tax incentives for development. County officials emphasized that data centers fail to meet the county’s goals for long-term economic growth and job creation. Commissioner Gary Altman said the Space Coast’s vulnerability to hurricanes and other weather events makes it an unattractive location for AI data centers. 'I've seen communities benefit from data centers, but they're totally different from Brevard,' Altman said during the meeting. Commissioner Karen Delaney, a key advocate for the measure, argued that data centers strain electrical infrastructure and consume large amounts of land without generating significant secondary economic activity. 'These facilities can place strain on electrical infrastructure, affect long-term utility planning, and occupy large parcels of land while providing limited secondary economic activity,' Delaney said. The county must draft an ordinance to formalize the ban and hold another public hearing, though no date has been set. Staff reports noted that while data centers require significant capital investment, they typically create only a small number of permanent jobs. Analysts in a recent report highlighted that energy costs and data center infrastructure will play a growing role in political debates at local, state, and federal levels. 'It is not just an issue at the state and local levels but a federal topic as the election narrative forces the subject in every domain,' the report said. County officials said they will continue evaluating proposals for AI data centers but will not offer tax breaks as part of any agreement.