In Wisconsin Rapids, data center objections include developers’ Russian connections

Residents in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, are actively opposing a proposed 210-acre artificial intelligence data center slated for a former paper mill site. Local opponents cite common environmental concerns, including potential water scarcity and contamination, increased electricity rates, air pollution, and noise.

Adding a distinct dimension to the usual objections, residents have also raised concerns about the Russian backgrounds of the project's developers, Ruslan Zinurov and Anton Voronkin. Zinurov initially proposed the data center, with Voronkin later taking over the project. Marissa Johnson, a leader of a group fighting the development, noted that while environmental issues are paramount, the developers' Russian ties are a significant "sticking point" for many, despite fears of appearing xenophobic.

These concerns have been voiced at public meetings, where attendees have questioned water usage, potential utility rate hikes, and pollution. During a city meeting in July, a woman specifically mentioned a "Russian national" had applied for the permit. In an August meeting organized by the development team, an audience member directly asked Voronkin about his Russian citizenship, to which he replied, "I have worked in many countries overseas," a response that did not fully satisfy the crowd.

The data center proposal first surfaced in December when Zinurov emailed Wisconsin Rapids city planner Kyle Kearns to express interest in acquiring a site. The project gained public attention in April with the city planning commission's announcement of a public hearing for Zinurov’s conditional use permit application, indicating the project is currently pending review.