Kenosha Residents Seek Pause On Microsoft Data Center Plan

Land purchased by Microsoft in Kenosha for a data center project is seen here on Aug. 26, 2026. Evan Casey/WPR

Some Kenosha area residents are pushing for local officials to pause a proposed Microsoft data center development there.

In early 2025, Microsoft announced the company had purchased around 240 acres in Kenosha for a data center development. The property is around eight miles southwest of the tech company’s data center campus in Mount Pleasant.

At the time of the sale, Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala called the plan a “transformative moment” for the city.

“This groundbreaking investment solidifies Kenosha’s position as a hub for innovation and economic growth,” Bogdala said in a statement at the time.

But few details have been shared about the project since that sale was announced. A “Data Center FAQs” webpage on the city website said the tech company still needs to finish a “site plan process before building permits proceed.”

Residents have shown up to city meetings to speak out against the project, raising environmental and noise concerns, along with worries about energy and water demand. Some are calling for city officials to follow the lead of other Wisconsin communities and pass a data center moratorium to pause the project.

“I think this should be done by referendum,” said Howard Gussis, a town of Paris resident. “This should not be jammed down our throats.”

Kenoshans Unite Against Microsoft Data Center is leading the charge against the project.

“Lack of transparency is one of the biggest issues for a lot of us,” said Sage Holloway, a member of the group. “I feel like there is a world where the residents of Kenosha who oppose this data center could have enough information to feel confident moving forward, and we just don’t feel that way.”

The FAQ webpage said the city and the company signed a non-disclosure agreement in May of 2024. According to the city, the company terminated the NDA on June 22, 2026.

In a Tuesday email, Daniel Gaitan, a spokesperson for the city, said Mayor Bogdala had no comment.

“At this time, there are no new developments to share regarding the proposed Microsoft data center project, and the mayor does not have a comment at this time,” Gaitan said.

Holloway, a resident of Kenosha, said she understands it would be difficult to stop the development from moving forward.

“A moratorium is a little bit more feasible and would just give us time as a community to understand all of the effects of the data center,” Holloway said. “Potentially, even give us time to get a referendum on the ballot for November.”

A Microsoft data center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin appears in a June 2026 photo. Photo courtesy of Microsoft

Gussis and his wife, Lesley Brown, own Woofman’s Lodge Pet Resort, which is near the planned development. Gussis said he’s not against development in the area, but he is against a data center going up there.

“A data center is not a fit for that area,” Gussis said at the council meeting.

He said he’s also worried about noise pollution.

“Everyone’s talked about the pollution, the energy, water — we all know about that,” he said. “My concern really is the constant noise.”

Microsoft recently announced its data center facility in Mount Pleasant, known as “Fairwater,” is now operational in neighboring Racine County. The company was sued in July due to noise complaints from residents who live near that site. Some people who live near the development have also complained about construction noise and dust, light pollution, traffic and a changing rural landscape.

Brown, who said she believes the project is being “pushed through” in Kenosha, also called for a moratorium.

“What’s the rush?” Brown asked.

Jacqueline Semm of Kenosha is also pushing for a moratorium. She said there are too many unknowns around how many people could work at the site and the water usage.

“We do not want Kenosha to become another caution story for Wisconsin,” Semm said during a city meeting. “Kenosha County should not be Microsoft’s guinea pig. I urge this council to listen to the people who live here, protect our resources, and pass a moratorium to shut this project down.”

Other communities across the state have passed moratoriums on data center construction, including Madison and Superior. In June, the Dane County Board of Supervisors approved a “temporary halt on permits for hyperscale data centers in unincorporated areas of the county,” according to a county statement. The Manitowoc County Board also passed a similar measure in the spring. 

In a Tuesday email, a Microsoft spokesperson said the company purchased the land in Kenosha, “for the purpose of datacenter development.”

“We’re fully committed to advancing and operating datacenters responsibly, in a way that strengthens local communities and generates economic opportunity for the area,” the spokesperson said. “We’ll be sure to share more information with the community as soon as we have a development plan for this site.”

The city’s FAQ webpage says the project “would increase the city’s tax base, as well as the tax base of other taxing jurisdictions, including Kenosha County, the Paris and Westosha school districts and Gateway Technical College.”

Bogdala’s statement after the sale was announced mentioned “job creation to strengthening our local economy,” as other positive opportunities for the area.

“We are honored to work with Microsoft and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate, including joint research initiatives, talent development programs, and community engagement activities,” Bogdala wrote that that time.

Kenosha area residents push for data center moratorium to pause proposed Microsoft development  was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.