Beaver Dam, Wis. approves second data center

On April 6, 2026, the Beaver Dam Common Council approved measures paving the way for a second data center in the city. The council voted to rezone a 14-acre parcel for light manufacturing, establish a new tax incremental district, and enter a purchase and sale agreement with Oppidan Holdings. Oppidan Holdings plans to develop a data center that will be smaller than the facility currently under construction by Meta. While Mayor Bobbi Marck and several council members expressed support for the development, many residents voiced strong disappointment and concern during a public comment session, which was limited to 20 minutes. Residents cited worries about the potential depth of impact from data centers, including increased water usage and energy demand, as well as the environmental destruction, groundwater runoff, and potential drying of neighbors' wells. One resident mentioned the construction of a berm near a Janesville facility to mitigate residential impact. Opponents, who had hoped the council would vote against the ordinances, stated they were not surprised by the outcome but emphasized that the fight was not over. They also referenced recent industry events, such as OpenAI shutting down a branch of its generative AI, suggesting that many data centers currently in development have yet to reach completion. Residents expressed feelings of anger and sadness, attributing the decision to a pattern of being disappointed by those in power.