News Summary

Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, is preparing for the development of an 830-acre data center on former farmland. The project, potentially by Meta, is expected to cost around $1 billion. While it will create temporary jobs during construction, community leaders express concerns about resource demands and impacts on local infrastructure. As economic growth continues, residents share mixed feelings about losing rural landscapes and the effects on quality of life.

Beaver Dam Prepares for Major Data Center Development on Former Farmland

Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, is set to undergo significant transformation as preparations begin for an 830-acre data center development on land that was previously farmland. The new facility, which is anticipated to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies, has not yet been formally announced, but construction efforts have already commenced.

The data center project is expected to involve substantial investments, with reports suggesting that it may be developed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, at an estimated cost nearing $1 billion. Local farmland owners have received compensation of approximately $20,000 or more per acre as part of the property acquisition process to facilitate this major project.

The data center is likely to generate a limited number of permanent jobs—only a few dozen positions in data technology—but the construction phase is projected to create thousands of temporary jobs. The facility’s operations are predicted to consume as much as 300,000 gallons of municipal water each day, aligning with usage levels seen in food processing plants. Community leaders have raised concerns about how this new demand for resources may affect the local power grid and water supply.

Economic Growth and Local Changes

Beaver Dam, a city with a population of 16,000 located about an hour northeast of Madison, is already experiencing economic development. Generac Power Systems recently opened a new 350,000 square-foot factory in the city, transferring manufacturing jobs from Mexico and other states, and contributing to the local economy.

The anticipated data center is strategically located near existing business infrastructure, such as a 1.2 million square-foot Walmart distribution center. Enhancements in the local economy from the data center can be expected to include increased taxable property value and the potential to attract jobs in the tech field, especially aiming to retain younger residents.

State legislation now supports data center development by offering tax increment district exemptions for ongoing projects, further incentivizing investment in this technology sector.

Community Reactions and Future Considerations

The community’s response to the planned data center varies, with some residents expressing concerns about losing rural landscapes and possible impacts on quality of life. For instance, residents near the site, including individuals from Harmony Baptist Church, have opted to remain in their locations despite opportunities for relocation. One local resident voiced anxiety over the broader trend of urban expansion encroaching on rural areas.

City officials are actively working to shield taxpayer interests through agreements that address potential contingencies should the data center project not proceed as planned. Meanwhile, local business entities, such as Cantafio’s Buckhorn Supper Club, have confirmed their intention to remain operational despite the impending changes in the vicinity.

Much of the land slated for development will remain untouched to serve as a natural buffer between the industrial site and nearby residential areas, attempting to balance growth with environmental considerations. As the community navigates these changes, the conversation surrounding the data center underscores a pivotal moment in Beaver Dam’s evolution after 184 years of history.

Local Development Context

Beaver Dam’s planned data center is part of a larger trend in Wisconsin, as other data center projects are underway, including a substantial $3.3 billion Microsoft facility in Mount Pleasant. The influx of data centers across the region reinforces the growing importance of digital infrastructure in everyday life, facilitating essential services such as social media, streaming, and online banking.

As construction progresses, Beaver Dam’s local leaders and residents continue to assess the long-term implications of the data center on their community and its resources, indicating a deeper conversation about development, sustainability, and community identity.

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Additional Resources

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Beaver Dam Data Center Transformation
• WKOW: Beaver Dam Data Center Plans
• Daily Dodge: Update on Data Center Site
• Wikipedia: Data Center
• Google Search: Beaver Dam data center