Wisconsin Data Center NDAs Kept Projects Secret, Prompting Transparency Concerns
Wisconsin Watch found that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. signed at least five nondisclosure agreements with data center developers, keeping projects confidential months or years before public announcements. The disclosures have fueled opposition in communities including Kenosha, where residents are seeking a moratorium while the city considers a Microsoft data center plan, and prompted proposed legislation to restrict such agreements.
Records obtained under Wisconsin’s public records law show that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. signed nondisclosure agreements with developers of several proposed or active artificial-intelligence and hyperscale data centers. The agreements covered projects involving Microsoft in Mount Pleasant, Meta in Beaver Dam, OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage in Port Washington, as well as proposals in Menomonie and DeForest. WEDC said the agreements protect confidential business information while companies evaluate investments and comply with applicable public-records requirements.
The secrecy has drawn criticism from local officials and residents and contributed to opposition to data center developments. State Rep. Clint Moses said he plans to expand proposed legislation banning local data center NDAs to include WEDC, while Kenosha residents are seeking a moratorium as the city reviews a Microsoft proposal. Microsoft terminated Kenosha’s local NDA in June 2026 after announcing that it would stop signing such agreements with local governments. Other communities, including Columbia County and Beloit, have adopted restrictions on officials or employees signing data center NDAs, while QTS abandoned its DeForest plan after local opposition.