Manitowoc County Board approves 18-month data center moratorium

The Manitowoc County Board in Wisconsin unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on data center permitting on Tuesday night, following requests from the towns of Two Creeks, Two Rivers, and Mishicot. These towns raised concerns about potential health and safety issues, noting that data center construction and operation are "not consistent" with existing county plans. The action was prompted after a data center developer reportedly approached property owners in the area with land purchase offers. The approved ordinance prohibits the county from accepting applications or issuing permits for data center construction or siting for 18 months, unless new regulations are adopted or the moratorium is lifted earlier. The board amended the ordinance during the meeting to extend the moratorium from 12 to 18 months and clarify the definition of a data center. Manitowoc County Board Chair Matthew Phipps stated the moratorium provides the county with essential time to gather information and develop comprehensive zoning and regulations. This initiative comes as Cloverleaf Infrastructure, a developer previously involved in a controversial Port Washington project, has expressed interest in establishing a data center in northeast Wisconsin. Aaron Bilyeu, Chief Development Officer for Cloverleaf Infrastructure, acknowledged community concerns regarding the scale of such projects and supported the need for communities to establish "guardrails and rules." Residents who spoke at the board meeting largely opposed data centers, citing environmental impacts, potential loss of farmland, and the desire to preserve their rural character. A recent Marquette Law School poll indicating that 70 percent of Wisconsin voters believe data center costs outweigh benefits underscores the broader public sentiment.