GROWW: Protest Wednesday against Wisconsin’s sales-tax exemption for hyperscale data center companies
Residents and members of GrassRoot Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) are protesting in River Falls, Wisconsin, on September 23 against the state's sales-tax exemption for hyperscale data center companies. GROWW claims the exemption provides over $2 billion in tax relief without ensuring transparency or accountability. They are urging public officials to prioritize constituents over corporate interests.
Members of GrassRoot Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW) and local residents are set to rally at Veterans Park in River Falls, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, September 23, under the banner "No Blank Checks for Big Tech." The protest aims to draw attention to and ultimately end Wisconsin’s sales-tax exemption for hyperscale data center companies. This action is part of a broader effort by GROWW to hold elected officials accountable and ensure public interest is prioritized over corporate benefits.
GROWW estimates that the existing sales-tax exemption will provide more than $2 billion in tax relief to hyperscale data center companies, which they argue comes without sufficient transparency, accountability, or protections for Wisconsin families and communities. State Representatives Shannon Zimmerman (Assembly District 30) and Clint Moses (Assembly District 92) both supported the bill creating this exemption. Moses's district, which includes Menomonie, has seen significant community organizing against a previously secretive $1.6 billion data center proposal.
The rally will also mark the launch of GROWW’s fall get-out-the-vote campaign, aiming to send a clear message to political candidates that western Wisconsin's organized populace expects leaders to serve their constituents rather than wealthy corporations or Wall Street shareholders.