🌱 How a proposed AI data center near Fort Meade sparked pushback
Fort Meade, Florida Patch AM: a 3 min readCheers Fort Meade! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a proposed AI data center near Fort Meade sparked pushback
Also on today's calendar: Dungeons & Dragons at the Library and 4 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Wednesday: A stray t-shower; not as hot, with a high of 85 and low of 68 degrees.
- Thursday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 85, low: 69.
- Friday: A p.m. shower in places, with a high of 89 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
📰 News we're reading
• Projected Positive and Negative Aspects of Data Centers as of June 1, 2026 (fosterfollynews.net) — Residents near Fort Meade are part of a growing Florida backlash against proposed AI data centers, with a Polk County project by Fort Meade drawing strong opposition over water and power concerns. Across the state, several counties have imposed moratoriums or bans, and new Florida law now requires large data centers to shoulder their own power costs, giving local governments more control over zoning decisions. 
📸 Around Fort Meade
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Fort Meade
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★ Featured events ★
-
Teen Fandom Club →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
4:00 pm
Tuesday June 9
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Other local events
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Dungeons & Dragons at the Library →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
5:30 pm -
Bartow Uncorked →
Main Street Bartow Inc, 180 S Central Ave, Bartow
5:00 pm -
Pokémon Club →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
11:00 am -
POLK COUNTY vs EVERYBODY POOL PARTY PART 5 →
Idlewood Venue & Events, 150 Idlewood Ave, Bartow
4:00 pm -
Dungeons & Dragons at the Library →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
5:30 pm -
Pokémon Club →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
11:00 am
Thursday June 11
Friday June 12
Saturday June 13
Saturday June 20
Thursday June 25
Saturday June 27
📣 Fort Meade Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Ribbon Cutting for Florida Platinum Insurance Group
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 160 E Summerlin St. Suite 210 Bartow, Fl 33830
4:00 pm -
Songs & Stories →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
11:00 am -
2026 Fun Thursday-Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce 510 N Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
5:00 pm -
2026 Chamber Cruise
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce The Royal Caribbean: Utopia of the Seas -
Get Moving! →
Bartow Public Library, 2150 S Broadway Ave, Bartow
9:30 am
Wednesday June 3
Thursday June 4
Friday June 5
Tuesday June 9
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Walmart posted a job opening for Front End Service Team Supervisor in Bartow. Apply here.
- Hut American Group, LLC posted a job opening for Team Member in Bartow. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Meade here.
🗞 Nearby News
Bartow
- How Benny Robles Jr. took the wheel at Bartow Ford (tbbwmag.com)
- Cleaner Outlook Publishes Window Cleaning Cost Guide for Lakeland Homeowners (usatoday.com)
- 1519 Estate Dr, Lakeland, FL 33815 (zillow.com)
Mulberry
- Meet The Ledger's 2026 Boys Volleyball All-County Team (theledger.com)
Ok Fort Meade! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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