A proposed $13.5 billion data center on the Treasure Coast could become the largest in Florida if approved, according to official documents presented to St. Lucie County Commission authorities. The Sentinel Grove Technology Park project, planned for rural St. Lucie County, would significantly expand the region’s digital infrastructure and economic footprint.
Sentinel Grove Data Center Proposal in St. Lucie County
The main keyword, data center, is central to the Sentinel Grove Technology Park proposal, which was unveiled to the St. Lucie County Planning and Zoning Commission on October 16, 2025. According to official county documents, the project would be located at Orange Avenue and Minute Maid Road on former citrus groves.
If developed, Sentinel Grove would cover up to 15 million square feet across several buildings, making it one of the largest data centers worldwide by both area and energy consumption. The site, spanning 1,218 acres, would house extensive computer systems, server racks, and other infrastructure necessary for large-scale digital operations.
How Sentinel Grove Compares to Other Data Centers
According to the project’s proposal, Sentinel Grove would have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (1 gigawatt), which is comparable to the electricity needs of a city with 1 million residents. For context, the largest current data center in the United States, owned by Meta Platforms in Prineville, Oregon, is 4.6 million square feet. Other major projects include the planned 18-million-square-foot Project Matador in Texas and a proposed 7-million-square-foot facility in Yeehaw Junction, Florida.
The U.S. Department of Energy reported that data centers consumed about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity in 2023, with projections rising to as much as 12% by 2028. The rapid growth in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital storage is driving demand for large-scale data centers, especially in rural areas.
Industry Trends and Global Context
Industry analysis cited in the proposal notes that, as of 2023, fewer than 225 data centers worldwide had capacities greater than 100 megawatts. The trend toward gigawatt-scale facilities is accelerating, with technology companies such as Meta and Google seeking more capacity for expanding digital services.
Economic Impact for St. Lucie County
According to the Sentinel Grove proposal, the data center could generate approximately $114 million in county property tax revenue and $63 million for the local school district. These figures represent a 16% increase in annual property tax revenue for the county and a 6% increase for the school district. The facility is also expected to create around 370 jobs with salaries ranging from $75,000 to $110,000.
Florida’s data center sector supported 40,090 jobs in 2023, according to a report by the Data Center Coalition. The organization described data centers as “essential digital infrastructure behind every online purchase, telehealth appointment, online news article, and digital classroom.” Recent industrial developments, such as Project King in Port St. Lucie, have also contributed to the region’s economic growth and job creation.
Potential Concerns and Local Opposition
Despite the potential economic benefits, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 to recommend against approving the development. According to the commission’s public meeting records, concerns focused on stormwater runoff, increased construction traffic, and the risk of urban sprawl encroaching on agricultural land.
Nearby landowners, including representatives from Adams Ranch, voiced worries about the loss of agricultural space. Cynthia Adams stated during the meeting, “This is the last ag area we have left in St. Lucie County. Please don’t destroy it.”
Project Status and Next Steps
According to county Planning and Zoning Manager Kori Benton, key details remain unknown, including the future owner, operator, and financing structure for Sentinel Grove. The land is currently owned by Epic Estates, a Tallahassee-based investment firm that purchased the property for $15 million in July 2024, as confirmed by the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser’s Office.
Developers Timberline Real Estate Development and HJA Design Studio have requested the creation of a special zoning district to allow construction in the rural area. This zoning change would require approval from both the St. Lucie County Commission and relevant state agencies. As of October 22, 2025, Timberline announced a temporary pause on the project, according to a public statement by Chief Operating Officer Robert Provine. The Sentinel Grove proposal is among several major industrial projects in the area, including the final industrial facility planned for the Southern Grove job corridor.
Confidentiality and Project Jarvis
The project was code-named “Project Jarvis” in the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County‘s 2025 mid-year report. EDC spokesperson Maureen Saltzer declined to identify the company behind the proposal, citing a confidentiality agreement. Saltzer clarified that there is no connection between this “Project Jarvis” and Google’s AI initiative of the same name.
Environmental and Infrastructure Considerations
Environmental impacts remain a concern for both officials and residents. According to the commission’s discussion, questions persist about how the data center would address issues such as stormwater runoff, air pollution from diesel backup generators, and noise. Developers did not respond to requests for comment on these topics.
Data centers are known to contribute to increased utility rates and nitrogen dioxide emissions, especially when relying on diesel-powered backup systems. The proposal claims the facility would have “little impact to nearby landowners and residents,” but local feedback indicates ongoing apprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Treasure Coast Data Center
What is the Sentinel Grove data center planned for St. Lucie County?
The Sentinel Grove data center is a proposed $13.5 billion technology park in rural St. Lucie County. If built, it would be the largest data center in Florida and among the largest worldwide.
How much electricity would the Treasure Coast data center use?
According to project documents, the facility would have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (1 gigawatt), which is enough to power a city of about 1 million people.
Are there other large data centers in Florida?
Currently, no data center in Florida matches the planned size of Sentinel Grove. The next-largest proposed facility is in Yeehaw Junction at 7 million square feet, less than half the size of Sentinel Grove.
Can you visit the Sentinel Grove Technology Park?
No, the Sentinel Grove data center is not open to the public. It is a private facility designed for secure digital operations and is still in the planning phase.
Where are the largest data centers in the United States?
The largest data center in the U.S. is in Prineville, Oregon, owned by Meta Platforms. Other major projects are planned in Texas and Florida, including the Sentinel Grove proposal for St. Lucie County.
Port St Lucie Talks
