Controversy over public comment restrictions at Town of Beloit amid data center proposal
Residents are strongly opposing a proposed data center campus in the Towns of Beloit and Turtle, Wisconsin, leading to packed local government meetings and controversy over public comment restrictions. A former city council member criticized Town of Beloit officials for "stifling open discussion" regarding the potential $1 billion project by Panattoni Development. The public comment rules were changed after developer interest became known.
A recent Town of Beloit Board of Supervisors meeting saw a large turnout, primarily driven by strong public opposition to a proposed $1 billion data center campus. Brittany Keyes, a former Beloit City Council member and a leader in the anti-data center movement, accused Town of Beloit officials of "stifling open discussion" by limiting public comment to "actionable items on the agenda" and imposing time restrictions. These rules were enacted after developers expressed interest in the area for a hyperscale data center.
Keyes, now working for an environmental advocacy group, argued that public bodies should encourage citizen input, not restrict it. Town of Beloit officials, including Malizio, countered that the restrictions are necessary to conduct town business and that opportunities for discussion will arise once formal proposals are submitted.
The potential data center project, which involves Panattoni Development, is planned for 600 acres across the Towns of Beloit and Turtle. Panattoni recently held an open house to present preliminary plans. A grassroots group, "Rock County Neighbors for Responsible Development," and a "No Beloit Data Center" Facebook page with over 3,800 members have formed to actively oppose the project, organizing meetings and attending town board discussions in Beloit, Rock, and Turtle.