Proposed Lakeland data center 'nowhere near' scale of Fort Meade site

Lakeland is considering a data center proposed by Ryan Companies U.S. Inc., submitted by Kimley-Horn on May 5 for a site at Old Tampa Highway and Wilkerson Road. The conceptual project, named 'Project Swan', would total about 600,000 square feet across three buildings on roughly 40 acres, east and west of the West Lakeland Wasteload Facility. City officials and residents have expressed concern, as the plan is far smaller than Fort Meade’s 4.4 million-square-foot center. The site would be annexed into Lakeland; a June 3 Developer Review Committee meeting is planned. Ownership is tied to Holmes Beach Family Tides LLC.