Anti-data-center group meets to strategize opposition

Opponents to the proposed data center in Menomonie met at Zymurgy Brewery on August 24 to develop a plan to fight against the proposal. The group had previously been meeting on a Facebook group, and held this as a first in-person meeting. Surprisingly, Mayor Randy Knaack appeared at the meeting and threw his support behind the group and against the city council, which voted in favor of annexation and rezoning of the land on the East side of Hwy B. 

Despite claiming several times that he "just came for a beer," the mayor became the center point of the meeting and said that although the city council makes many good decisions, voting for the rezoning of the land "was a mistake". 

The group intends to focus their efforts on contacting city, county, and township officials to explain their position and ask for support. The group has been gathering signatures in an online petition, but the mayor advised them to start collecting paper petitions that include the address of those signing it. 

The group also discussed the possibility of holding a large event to generate enthusiasm.

The data center is still a long way from reality. The land has not been purchased, and the company proposing the development is still unknown, since the only people in the city government who know their identity have signed a non-disclosure agreement. The company has not brought forth a development agreement at this point, nor have they asked for any tax considerations such as a TIF agreement. The developers have stated that they do not expect to begin construction before 2027.