TIGERTON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) The Tigerton Village Board has decided to move forward with a moratorium, putting a temporary stop on any more AI data center projects for about another year.
The decision comes after a public hearing Tuesday night where residents had the opportunity to speak directly to village leaders.
Many raised concerns about what a data center could mean for the community, from wildlife impacts to noise pollution. “We live in a paradise. I don’t want to see it leave,” one Tigerton resident said.
Another resident questioned the decision-making process. “Because if it affects everyone of us, everyone of us should have a say on it, not just a few people that sit on a board,” the resident said.
“When the noise is too loud for me to sleep, I’m not going to be here,” another resident said.
The hearing also drew candidates running for state and federal office.
Gillian Battino, a candidate for Wisconsin’s 29th Senate District, said the debate over data centers is being felt at the local level. “Because I feel that what is happening with data centers across our state and across the country is a very local experience,” Battino said.
“I just hope that we can defend the needs of local community from a local level and that we’re not overrun by these big expensive corporations that have their big fancy lawyers. And if you want to know what it’s like, I encourage you to drive up to Port Washington. Get a bus, load it up and see what they’re dealing with,” Battino said.
Rick Crosson, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin’s 8th congressional district, also spoke with residents.
“These issues with data centers don’t necessarily respect county boundaries or district boundaries and so that’s why I’m here today to lend my support to everyone here who has this kind of genuine concern,” Crosson said.
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