Data Center Development In Wisconsin: Manitowoc County And Port Washington
Wisconsin is experiencing significant data center development, notably a $15 billion campus by Vantage Data Centers in Port Washington. Concurrently, Manitowoc County has approved an 18-month moratorium on data center construction following resident concerns over land use, environmental impact, and taxpayer costs. The county plans to develop new zoning regulations for data centers once the moratorium expires.
The future of AI data center development in Wisconsin is a subject of ongoing debate, with significant projects and regulatory actions underway in Port Washington and Manitowoc County.
In Port Washington, Vantage Data Centers is constructing the $15 billion Lighthouse Campus, a sprawling 672-acre facility designed to power 902 megawatts of IT. This development, slated for completion by 2028, will source 70% of its power from zero-emission energy resources via We Energies.
Meanwhile, Manitowoc County landowners in Mishicot, Two Rivers, and Two Creeks were approached by data center developers, prompting the towns to request an 18-month moratorium on data center construction from the Manitowoc County Board of Supervisors. The moratorium, which pauses any data center development with more than 1 petabyte of storage, was approved earlier this year due to constituent concerns. Manitowoc County Executive Tyler Martel indicated strong public support for the moratorium, citing a need to assess statewide developments, while Mishicot Town Chairman Dean Anhalt emphasized the time required for the county to establish appropriate regulations.
Broader concerns raised by residents include the extensive land use, potential taxpayer costs, and environmental impacts such as high water consumption and noise levels, despite advancements in cooling technologies like those developed by Nvidia. Proponents highlight potential tax revenue and construction jobs, while opponents argue that long-term job creation is minimal. Manitowoc County is actively developing new zoning regulations for data centers, which will be implemented after the moratorium concludes.