Sen. Jacque Explains Why Data Center Developers are Attracted to Wisconsin
Wisconsin Sen. Andre Jacque says data center developers are attracted to the state partly because of tax incentives, which he estimates could cost nearly $2 billion for approved projects. He has introduced legislation to restrict nondisclosure agreements and repeal sales and use tax exemptions for large data centers.
Wisconsin Sen. Andre Jacque told WOMT’s Jim Medley that data center development is expanding rapidly across the state, with dozens of operational, planned, paused and inactive facilities. Jacque said residents have valid concerns about land purchases from farmers and argued that the economic benefits of the projects may be delayed while taxpayers bear substantial costs through state incentives.
Jacque said approved data center sales and use tax exemptions are approaching $2 billion, with ongoing costs potentially reaching about $400 million annually. He introduced Senate Bill 969, which would prohibit developers from using nondisclosure agreements to conceal project details, and LRB-6903, which would repeal sales and use tax exemptions for large technology data centers; he is also promoting the proposals with comedian Charlie Berens.