A town of 12,000 people just north of Milwaukee passed a first-of-its-kind referendum to restrict data center development after local officials approved a controversial $15B campus planned by OpenAI and Oracle. Residents in Port Washington, Wisconsin, voted by a 2-1 margin to restrict future data center development in their town, according to unofficial results reported by Politico. It is the latest sign of growing backlash against data center development in some corners of the country, with at least three other municipalities set to vote on restrictions.
The referendum forces local officials to obtain voter approval before awarding developers lucrative tax incentives and comes after a failed effort to recall Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke after town officials approved the campus...
RSK: Of course Wisconsin would lead the way.
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- - Volume: 26 - WEEK: 16 Date: 4/14/2026 9:33:55 PM -