In STARKE, Florida, the Bradford County commissioners narrowly passed a motion by a 3-2 vote on Thursday evening to push forward with a plan for a county-managed immigration detention facility. This complex is set to accommodate up to 3,000 detainees on a 30-acre property that currently hosts a 100,000-square-foot warehouse, located off U.S. Highway 301, not far from Walmart.

Sabot Consulting unveiled a proposal to transform the Douglas Building warehouse into the initial phase of the facility, which would house 1,000 beds. This phase would also include areas for intake, medical services, visitation, kitchen operations, and administrative tasks. The capacity would increase to 2,000 beds in the second phase and reach 3,000 beds in the third phase by incorporating modular housing units.

Under this arrangement, a private contractor would handle the design, construction, and operation of the detention center through an intergovernmental service agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while the county would maintain ownership of the land and any enhancements made.

The sheriff’s office would be responsible for overseeing inspections, ensuring public safety, and maintaining compliance with regulations.

“No local taxpayer money goes to subsidize federal operations,” Sabot consultant Darren Chiappinelli told commissioners.

The project also projects 1,250 onsite jobs at full capacity.

“This is an opportunity for 1,200 jobs in my community,” Sheriff Gordon Smith said. “I’ve seen the damage done by losing 100 jobs. These are living wage jobs at federal rates.”

Smith also went on to say why he supports this move.

“Here we have the right to make sure people are treated humanely,” he said. “We’re not ICE. We’re not beating on doors without warrants. We’re here to house people they’ve taken into custody after processing.”

Dozens of residents packed the meeting, urging commissioners to reject the plan.

“That’s the first thing you drive into … ‘Welcome to Bradford County, home of an ICE detention facility?’ Is that what you guys want for our town? I don’t want that for my town,” Hampton resident Brian Roberts said.

Commissioners Carolyn Spooner and Danny Riddick voted no Thursday night.

“This has a great possibility of being fantastic for Bradford County, but it’s got a great possibility of being absolutely terrible for Bradford County,” Riddick said.

As far as what’s next, the consultant for the project says they will now finalize proposal details to send to ICE, then negotiate the deal with the county and sheriff. If an agreement is reached, they will start building the facility.