HAMMOND – On Sunday, April 26, over 100 residents of the Village of Hammond gathered in Memorial Park in layers and lawn chairs to discuss the risks around a possible large AI data center proposal in their village. While the proposal didn’t end up being a hyperscale operation like initially feared, the crowd was united by the clear need for local protection from hyperscale operations, like those being built by Big Tech giants like Meta in Beaver Dam and other southeast Wisconsin communities.

Menomonie resident and mental health professional Blaine Halverson organized the event on short notice after experiencing what a proposal for a 320-acre, $1.6 billion AI data center proposed by Meta could do to his community. After a year of community organizing, that proposed development is now on hold. Residents worried about increasing electricity bills from high energy usage, high water usage, and the siphoning out of money and resources from their community to large corporations like Meta.

Halverson has joined members of other communities across the state in forming Great Lakes Neighbors United, a network of groups seeking to protect themselves from the impacts of hyperscale AI data centers.

“I’ve realized that these 12 or so counties in western Wisconsin are my neighborhood and I need to do what I can to protect my neighborhood,” Halverson said. “The people of Hammond showed up to this meeting because they love their community. If we unite around the things that we love and have open conversations about how we can be proactive, we can make sure western Wisconsin is a place we can still call home.”

Turnout in Hammond was bolstered by a video from Wisconsin native Charlie Berens, encouraging residents to come to learn more about what a possible hyperscale data center could look like in their community.

The next night, the village board heard a presentation from a developer on a data center proposal in the industrial park. The development would be on a 2-acre lot in the industrial park and is not a hyperscale AI operation. The owner runs a Bitcoin mining data center in Hager City under his company, Metered Mining. After the presentation and a question and answer session, any action on the proposal was tabled until more information can be shared.

“What is important is that the community came together, united, and listened to one another. The village board is being transparent and is prioritizing dialogue from the community and the developer is answering questions,” Halverson said. “There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered and it will be up to the community members and village board if they want to move forward with this developer, but this level of community involvement needs to be encouraged to make sure the community has a voice in the ultimate decision.”

The show of shared concern is a signal that the community wants a proactive approach to hyperscale data centers in western Wisconsin. GROWW (Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin) is joining other groups across the state to call for protections around hyperscale AI data centers. “Massive industrial operations like hyperscale data centers pose an unprecedented risk to our communities,” said Danny Akenson, GROWW organizer. “Whether it’s a hyperscale data center or a massive factory farm, we know that western Wisconsin isn’t for sale to outside interests. Our home and our future is at stake. The people of Hammond showed that it’s time for us to organize to protect what we love about this region and this state.”
GROWW is a grassroots organization based in Western Wisconsin. Together, we work toward a future where we all make ends meet, live with dignity, and have a voice in shaping the decisions that impact us. To get connected or learn more about GROWW, visit us at GRO-WW.org, on Instagram at @GrowWisconsin, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/GROWWisconsin

Submitted by GROWW