What are data centers? Wisconsin cities’ potential new neighbors, explained

  • May 15, 2025
870 450 Leah Steinberg

Mount Pleasant, Port Washington, Kenosha, Beaver Dam — in recent months, Wisconsin’s data center tally is growing.

All four communities may one day host large, artificial intelligence-focused data centers for companies like Microsoft and Meta. Individual projects could occupy upwards of 1,000 acres and use energy loads equivalent to the entire city of Milwaukee. In response, lawmakers are already seeking to expand nuclear energy in Wisconsin while the Public Service Commission is considering a new electric rate for data centers.

Read the Wisconsin Public Radio article here.