Data center protesters overwhelm City Hall

People packed Port Washington City Hall Tuesday to protest the Vantage Data Centers campus planned for the city’s far north side during what was the most contentious Common Council meeting since officials began in January considering what promises to be one of the largest projects of its kind in the country.

Dozens of people gathered outside City Hall before the meeting to protest the data center, with some passing motorists beeping in support.

More than 100 people filled the Common Council chambers and flowed into the adjoining lobby, which was so crowded that officials quickly prepared a lower level conference room so people could sit there to watch a livestream of the meeting.

Many carried signs — “Protect Our Water,” “Port Says No to AI,” “No Data Center, “We Know This Data Center Isn’t For Us,” “You Lie About Water and Power Use,” among them.

They chanted “No data center,” “Vote them out” and “Shame,” applauding many of those who spoke against the project and booing those who spoke in favor of it. They interrupted speakers, with Mayor Ted Neitzke asking several times for the crowd to allow others to speak.

They accused aldermen of not representing their constituents, adding they do not trust Vantage.

“As a community, we cannot trust this corporation to have our best interest at heart,” one woman said. 

Craig Collins of Saukville said, “We’re talking about ruining people’s lives. The public doesn’t want it. How can you sleep at night?”

“I don’t know what happened to ‘We the people, for the people,’” Trish Binkowski of the Town of Fredonia said. “You’re making this decision for everyone and you’re not listening to the people.”

Dozens of people, most of them from outside the city, argued against the data center, citing concerns about the amount of water and power needed to run the campus, the impact on property values and utility bills, the environment and health.

The data center will destroy their way of life, they said.

“This will turn my life and my family’s life into a living hell,” Caleb Tydrick of the Town of Port said. “Thank you for tanking my father’s retirement. He won’t be able to retire for the next 10 years.”

Natalie Shaefer of Lakeland Road in the Town of Saukville told aldermen the high-voltage electric lines needed to power the data center will take half her 10-acre property.

“I will live less than 100 feet from power lines on two sides,” she said. “We will have to move. We will have to replace our dream home. I’ve worked my entire life for this property.

“I don’t understand how you can in good conscious do this.”

Many questioned why the city did not hold a referendum on the issue and accused aldermen of not listening to their constituents. 

“I can’t imagine not having a referendum,” Bob Miller of Port Washington said.

Despite the fact the Common Council approved a developer’s agreement for the data center in August and Neitzke announced a groundbreaking is expected to be held in the next six to eight weeks, they said they will continue to fight the project.

“We will not stop no matter how much we’re told this is a done deal,” Alyssa Laabs of Fredonia told aldermen. “We want to actually be heard, not be told we’re being heard.

“How is something this unpopular with your community and other communities allowed to get this far?” 

Joseph Gromacki, a member of the Protect Fredonia Coalition, added, “If you do not listen, we will be forced to take legal action.”

Although Neitzke told the crowd it’s too late to stop the data center project, saying, “It is underway,” those opposed to it disagreed. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s not over until the fat lady sings,” Lucille Hentzen of Cedarburg said. “You can rescind your approval.”

A number of people accused the Common Council of shrouding the data center in secrecy, but Neitzke said few people showed up at informational sessions he held about the campus. 

A handful of people spoke in favor of it, most citing the economic benefits it will bring to the area.

“The economic benefits are real and lasting. We’ll have construction jobs and facility jobs that will be steady employment,” Ozaukee Economic Development Executive Director Kathleen Cady Schilling said. “Data centers are the backbone of today’s digital economy. They’re powering everything from our schools to our small businesses. I feel this is smart growth. We’re positioning our community to be at the forefront of innovation.

She acknowledged the concerns, but noted that We Energies is working on plans to use multiple sources of power to help handle the needs of data centers and the utility plans to charge tariffs to data centers to cover the associated costs.

“Modern data centers are built with sustainability in mind,” Cady Schilling said. “That includes commitments to renewable energy, energy efficient design and responsible water management.”

John Jacobs, business manager for Local 494 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, told the crowd that data center projects are driven by consumers.

“If you use Facebook, email, Google, post videos like Charlie Behrens (a comedian and host of the “Manitowoc Minute” podcast who has fueled opposition to the data center project), you’re using AI,” Jacobs said.

The construction of one of the four data center buildings on the campus alone will employ 800 workers for two years, he said, adding, “That’s a lot of mortgage payments. We look forward to partnering with Vantage and the City of Port Washington.”

The bulk of the nearly four hour meeting was devoted to the data center, and Neitzke set time limits on public comments as aldermen took limited action regarding the campus.

They approved annexing an additional 334 acres of land for the project and rezoned it as well as another 59-acre parcel to accommodate the data center and held an initial review of a petition to annex and rezone another 90-1/2 acres for the project.

Neitzke presented a report on the economic impact of the data center done by Ryan LLC that shows the data center will boost the area economy significantly, adding $2.8 billion to the county’s gross domestic product and positively impacting 257 businesses in Ozaukee County.

The study shows that construction of the data center complex, which is to run through 2034 ,will add 4,000 jobs in Ozaukee County, he said, plus 5,800 jobs for businesses that support the project, such as supply chain, transportation and food service industries, he said.

The study also shows that the campus will bring in $92 million in additional taxes to all government levels during construction, Neitzke said. 

When the campus is in operation, he said, it will create 508 jobs that pay a total of $118 million.

“The data is the data,” he said. “We are in the middle of a technical revolution and Port Washington has chosen to participate in that.”

The city, he added, is struggling, noting that residential property owners pay 80% of the city’s taxes. When completed, Neitzke said, the data center complex and businesses will likely shoulder 80% of the tax burden.

But Matt Rismeyer of the Town of Saukville said people just don’t want the data center no matter how much the city tries to convince them it’s a benefit.

“You have the biggest microphone. Everyone has been listening to you and they don’t agree with you,” he said. “Despite the fact you’re trying to convince them this in their best interest, they’re looking at you and saying no. 

“So vote no.”