DPO Data Center rendering. Image courtesy: Digital Power Optimization, Inc.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — Another tech center is coming to the Badger State.
Wisconsin rapids will be home to a $200 million high-performance computing facility near the former Verso paper mill, according to an announcement from Digital Power Optimization.
The state-of-the-art facility will enable up to 20 megawatts of AI computing, according to a press release from DPO. The group is working with Billrud and the Consolidated Water Power Company, which will help power the site.
“With our definitive agreements with CWPCo now finalized, we’re thrilled to launch the development of this cutting-edge facility,” said DPO CEO Andrew Webber via press release. “The shortage of high-density rack space is going to be a sustained trend well into the 2030s, and our strategy of leveraging underutilized land, infrastructure, and power, creates a win-win solution for all stakeholders. Speed-to-energization is critical in today’s market, and by forming relationships with forward-thinking power partners like CWPCo, and designing to what is immediately actionable, facilities like this can be brought online several years ahead of hyperscale projects.”
Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher told WAOW TV that he’s excited about the investment and hopes more businesses will follow.
“I don’t necessarily think we want all database companies coming in. Hopefully there will be some manufacturing companies coming in with the 16 buildings and the 250 acres that are going to open up on the mill site, but again that’s kind of out of our ability to control,” Zacher said.
It’s unclear how many jobs the project will create. DPO says they plan to have the facility online by 2026.
The news comes one day after Microsoft announced they had acquired 240 acres of land near Kenosha for another data center in addition to their previously announced plans for one near Racine.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the location of the proposed DPO facility.
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