Wisconsin Rapids Rejects Proposed Data Center at Former Verso Paper Mill
A proposed large data center at the former Verso Paper Mill site in Wisconsin Rapids was unanimously rejected by the city’s plan commission and City Council after residents raised concerns about power and water use. The commentary argues that while residents should be able to block unsuitable mega-projects, smaller, specialized and air-cooled data centers may deserve consideration elsewhere, including in Marathon County.
A proposed data center at the former Verso Paper Mill site in Wisconsin Rapids was rejected unanimously by both the city’s plan commission and City Council. The article says local residents opposed the project, citing concerns about its potential electricity and water demands, and that the community ultimately prevailed through the local government process.
The commentary calls for a more nuanced debate over data center development. It distinguishes large projects from smaller, industry-specific facilities, such as centers storing medical or banking records, and suggests that some air-cooled facilities could be appropriate in parts of Marathon County or other communities.