Comedians, musicians, local residents come together for an event against data centers

Hundreds of West Wisconsin residents and community members, including comedian Charlie Berens, gathered in Eau Claire for an event titled "Uniting West Wisconsin: A Regional Response to Data Centers." The event, organized by Great Lakes Neighbors United and Grass Roots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW), focused on concerns regarding the economic and environmental impacts of data center development.

Berens, who has previously spoken against AI data centers, emphasized the need for "guardrails" and transparency from "big tech" companies, noting that polling suggests a majority of Wisconsin residents believe the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits. Menomonie resident Blaine Halverson, an event organizer, highlighted the importance of local identity and proactive measures against hyperscale developments, noting a collaborative strategy for future action.

The discussion comes amid local pushback against a proposed 320-acre, $1.6 billion hyperscale AI data center project in Menomonie. The Menomonie City Council had initially approved a rezoning for the site; however, subsequent changes to the city's broader zoning code have put the project, proposed by Ballonist, LLC, on pause. The actual company behind the development remains unknown due to a nondisclosure agreement, raising calls for increased transparency from the community.

The event underscored a broader regional movement, with attendees from various sectors expressing a desire to prevent similar situations to Menomonie in other communities. Following the main event, discussions continued into Sunday, with elected officials invited to talk about transparency, local input, and safeguarding Wisconsin's resources.