Wrightstown puts data center question on ballot
Wrightstown, Wisconsin village trustees unanimously voted to place a non-binding advisory referendum on the August ballot, asking residents for their opinion on a potential data center project. This decision follows community opposition, including a petition for a moratorium. Cloverleaf Infrastructure has been attempting to acquire land for a data center in the area but has been unsuccessful.
Wrightstown, Wisconsin village trustees have unanimously approved placing a non-binding advisory referendum on the August election ballot. This measure will allow community members to voice their opinions on whether a data center should come to the village.
This action follows significant local feedback indicating opposition to data center development, prompting residents like Alli Butcher to initiate a petition for a moratorium on such projects. Trustee Ryan Roebke stated he would highly value the referendum results, despite its non-binding nature, and acknowledged the mixed opinions among residents.
Although no formal data center proposal has been submitted, real estate development company Cloverleaf Infrastructure confirmed to Local 5 News that it has unsuccessfully sought to purchase land for a data center in the Wrightstown area. Cloverleaf representatives recently engaged with residents to address their concerns.
Wrightstown Village Administrator Travis Coenen expressed legal concerns about enacting a moratorium, stating it would require proof that data centers would overburden utilities or pose health/safety risks, which he believes is difficult without a concrete project proposal. Resident Alli Butcher views the community-backed moratorium as a 'respectful deterrent' against developers.