Kenosha Residents Raise Concerns, Urge Moratorium on Proposed Microsoft Data Center
Hundreds of residents attended a community forum in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to voice concerns about a proposed Microsoft hyperscale data center. Opponents are urging the Kenosha City Council to block its final approval and pass a moratorium on its development. The event highlighted potential adverse impacts on job creation, local growth, and air, soil, and water quality.
Over 300 Kenosha residents gathered at the Rhode Center for the Arts to oppose a proposed 240-acre Microsoft data center development. The community forum, organized by Kenoshans United Against Microsoft Data Center (KUAMDC) and hosted by comedian Charlie Berens, urged the Kenosha City Council to block final approval and enact a moratorium.
Speakers at the event discussed potential environmental and economic concerns. Registered nurse Paula Pintar warned of increased fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the air, exacerbating existing high asthma rates in the county. Retired tech executive Prescott Balch countered claims of significant job and tax revenue growth, noting that local schools might not benefit from increased tax revenue due to per-pupil funding models, and data centers create few jobs post-construction.
Amanda Mueller, a retired engineer, drew parallels to the Stargate data center in Port Washington, currently being developed for AI companies Anthropic and Oracle, suggesting that projects can advance rapidly without sufficient community input. KUAMDC organizers encouraged residents to engage local aldermen and announced plans for a campaign to push the City Council for a moratorium on the data center's final approval.
Berens concluded the forum by emphasizing local control over Kenosha's future, stating, "I don’t want big tech to decide the future of Kenosha."