LETTER: Solar farm better for Port land than huge data center

To Ozaukee Press:

What’s the economic benefit?

Ozaukee Press: “Massive data center complex planned for Port.”

Biz Times: “This technology-forward development promises long lasting economic benefits—benefits that would create a ripple effect across southeastern Wisconsin for years to come.”

Post-construction employment was reported elsewhere at 50-80, equivalent to a supermarket, at higher wages.  That would generate but a modest ripple.

The real estate would generate property taxes—a benefit for schools and most municipal services—but the equipment would fall under the Wisconsin M&E exemption.

Demand for some non-school municipal services would increase.

Fifty to 80 families would populate a residential subdivision of moderate size, which would require the full range of services (police, fire, sewer, water, street maintenance, recreation, etc.).  Presumably, the data center-generated property taxes, net of direct costs to the city, would cover those costs.

Alternatively, would a solar farm for the generation of electricity reap as great a “technology-forward” benefit, with nearly no demand for municipal services? A solar farm would generate electricity rather than consuming gigawatts.

What will be the cost of repurposing (razing) the fully depreciated data center buildings in 20 years compared to a grid of solar panels? Would the obsoleted data center lurk like a has-been big box store?

When will the city perform a thorough analysis, the type of business plan that calculates all economic costs and benefits, at the level of planning that any successful business would undertake? Or, will the city proceed amidst the euphoria of growth?

Who’s excited? Why the excitement?

Stephen L. Castner

Town of Cedarburg