LETTER: Here’s what Vantage can do to be a good Port neighbor

To Ozaukee Press:

This letter is directed to the Port Washington data center developers. Welcome to Ozaukee County, Vantage Data Centers. Not everyone’s thrilled to

see you—many residents feel blindsided by your arrival and uneasy about what it means for our community.

You’ve bought up land, plan to pull water from Lake Michigan and will draw massive power from our grid. That’s a heavy footprint for a small county, and people are rightfully concerned about the strain on our resources, infrastructure and taxes—and about whether our officials truly acted in the public’s best interest.

So, if you’re coming, make it count. Show good faith by investing in the community you’re asking to be your host. Here are a few ideas that would make a real difference in Port Washington and beyond:

Fund a new Thomas Jefferson Middle School so residents aren’t burdened with another tax referendum.

Build a new indoor swimming pool for students and the community.

Bury your power lines to preserve neighborhood character and safety.

Support local nonprofits like the Ozaukee Food Alliance and Port Washington Food Pantry.

Contribute to environmental work—cleaning Lake Michigan, restoring bluffs and protecting the coast.

Companies like Epic and Acuity have invested in their local schools and communities. Why not you?

If Vantage truly wants to be a good neighbor, prove it—not with press releases, but with lasting investments in the people who live here.

Because at the end of the day, you’re already building the thing. The least we can do is polish this turd—together.

Christina Olson and Kristen Cook

Port Washington