A $2 billion proposal, then silence: How a Driftless Area data center deal fell apart
A proposed $2 billion data center project in Grant County, Wisconsin's Driftless Area, is now considered defunct after developers went silent amidst strong public opposition. Local and county boards enacted moratoriums on data center development, and state officials began considering new regulations regarding electricity costs for data centers. The project, though initially seen as a major economic opportunity, faced significant community concerns over environmental impacts.
Ron Brisbois, economic development director for rural Grant County, Wisconsin, detailed the collapse of a proposed $2 billion, 500-acre data center project. The out-of-state developers, attracted by the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line, envisioned a hyperscale facility in Cassville, promising jobs and significant tax revenue for the economically struggling county. Brisbois, initially skeptical but later optimistic, worked with the developers, introducing them to state and local officials, including discussions with the Department of Natural Resources regarding permits.
However, the project faced intense public opposition from residents concerned about water supply and over-development in the unique Driftless Area. Local figures like Pete Moris and Melodie Betts mobilized hundreds, culminating in a rally featuring comedian Charlie Berens. The developers went silent after a call with Brisbois where he indicated that a tax increment district (TID) incentive, which they inquired about, would likely not be legally feasible for a town.
Following the surge in opposition and the developers' lack of communication, the Cassville town board, followed by other Grant County towns and the County Board, enacted data center moratoriums. State lawmakers also proposed legislation for statewide regulation, and the Public Service Commission moved to require data centers to cover electricity generation and transmission costs. Despite Brisbois' initial optimism, the developers ceased communication, leading him to believe the project is "all but dead," attributing the silence to the public pushback and potential disinterest in operating without specific incentives. Brisbois expressed no regrets about pursuing the project's merits.