Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that AI data centers provide little lasting economic benefit to local communities. He emphasized that after the initial construction phase, these facilities typically employ only about a half-dozen people.

DeSantis made the remarks during a roundtable discussion, pointing out that tech companies often fill those limited positions with foreign workers on visas rather than hiring from nearby areas. "The thing about the data centers, there's not really a big economic impact" after their initial construction, he said. "Once it's done, it employs like a half-dozen people, and these tech companies will likely bring in foreigners to that on some visa. They're not going to hire from your local community. That's just not what they do."

The comments align with broader concerns DeSantis has raised about hyperscale data centers powering artificial intelligence. He has argued that such projects can increase electricity costs and strain water resources without delivering proportional benefits to Floridians. In May 2026, DeSantis signed Senate Bill 484 into law. The measure prohibits utilities from passing data center costs, including electricity expenses, onto residential and small business customers. It also requires large-scale users to pay their full cost of service and preserves local governments' authority to reject proposed developments.

DeSantis has described the legislation as essential protection for taxpayers and natural resources. "You should not pay one more red cent for electricity because of a hyperscale data center as an individual," he said at the bill signing. "That’s just not right for the most wealthy companies in the history of the world to come in and have individual Floridians or Americans subsidize these hyperscale data centers."

The governor has called for an intelligent approach to AI infrastructure that prioritizes the well-being of state residents over corporate profits. His positions have drawn attention amid growing national debate over data center expansion and its effects on energy grids and communities.