In a Wisconsin land rush, data centers made them millionaires
Land deals for data center development in Wisconsin, particularly in Port Washington, have made some landowners millionaires, but not all are satisfied with their sales. The projects, including facilities by Vantage, Oracle, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Meta, are creating significant local impact and sparking opposition among residents concerned about environmental effects and property values. Local officials acknowledge a "vocal minority" of opponents.
In Wisconsin, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers is generating significant wealth for landowners, particularly in communities like Port Washington. A 672-acre data center, a collaboration between Vantage, Oracle, and OpenAI, is under construction north of Milwaukee, with property sales reaching multiples of their fair market value. For instance, the Karrels family earned at least $20 million, and other families like the Schlenvogts and Burmesches also saw substantial payouts for their properties. Similar large-scale projects include Microsoft's $20 billion data center in Mount Pleasant, Racine County, and Meta's $1 billion facility in Beaver Dam, Dodge County, where land was acquired from local governments and private landowners.
Despite the financial windfalls, some sellers express dissatisfaction. Ryan Nowak, who sold 65 acres for $1.75 million, regrets the deal, finding it difficult to replace his former property. Curtiss Smith also felt he could have negotiated a better deal after learning what his neighbors received. Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke, a vocal proponent of the data center, attributes sellers' reluctance to comment to fear of backlash from a "vocal minority" opposing the facility.
Residents living near the Port Washington data center, who were not offered buyouts, are expressing unhappiness. Amanda Mueller voiced concerns about potential environmental problems and a decline in property values, lamenting the loss of the area's tranquil beauty. The article highlights a growing tension between economic development through data centers and community concerns over local impact and quality of life.