Kenosha community packs Rhode Center for forum on proposed Microsoft data center
Kenosha residents attended a community forum regarding a proposed Microsoft data center, expressing concerns about its environmental impacts, water and energy consumption, and noise. An opposition group, Kenoshans United Against Microsoft Data Center, has been actively organizing against the project for nearly a year. Feedback from the forum will be forwarded to elected officials.
A community forum in Kenosha, Wisconsin, drew a large crowd to the Rhode Center for the Arts to discuss a proposed Microsoft data center. The event, hosted by Kenoshans United Against Microsoft Data Center and moderated by Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens, served as a platform for residents to voice significant concerns about the project.
Key topics included the potential environmental impacts, substantial water and energy consumption, and noise concerns associated with a facility of this scale. Residents, such as Kelly MacKay, expressed a desire for more detailed information from Microsoft, while others, like Aker, openly stated their opposition, citing skepticism about corporate promises.
Julia Peters, one of the event's organizers, highlighted that her group has been fighting the data center project for approximately a year. Microsoft, which confirmed its land purchase in Kenosha for data center development in January 2025, responded to TMJ4 News, reiterating its commitment to responsible development that strengthens local communities and generates economic opportunity. The company stated it would share more information once a development plan is finalized. Community feedback gathered during the forum is slated to be forwarded to local elected officials for their consideration.