Wisconsin Rapids rejects permit for proposed data center

The Wisconsin Rapids Common Council unanimously rejected PNK Group’s conditional use permit for a proposed hyperscale data center at the city’s former paper mill site. The decision followed months of protests, informational meetings and public comments opposing the project, particularly over noise and possible effects on energy costs.

Mayor Matt Zacher said the city is not opposed to all data centers but wants time to establish that future facilities are built appropriately. Following the vote, Wisconsin Rapids entered a one-year moratorium on data center development, while PNK Group had promoted the project’s potential economic benefits at its own public meetings.