JANESVILLE — The race is on to build data centers, and Wisconsin doesn’t want to be left out.
The city of Janesville is the latest to begin seeking proposals. Officials hope to bring a data center to the former GM Assembly Plant site on the city’s south side that has been vacant since shutting down in 2008.
A data center is a large industrial facility that houses computer systems, storage and networking equipment — basically the backbone for what people refer to as the digital cloud.
Data centers are expanding rapidly across the country as demand for AI and cloud computing booms. They typically use vast amounts of electricity as well as water for cooling. However, the centers employ relatively few workers considering the size of the investment.
There currently are at least five data center projects in development in Wisconsin.
Microsoft Data Center Campus (Mount Pleasant): This is one of the most significant projects, with Microsoft investing $3.3 billion in a 1,900-acre campus. While there have been some temporary pauses in construction for future phases as Microsoft reevaluates plans, the first phase is reportedly “fully on track” and expected to go online in 2026. Microsoft also has plans for expansion in Kenosha County.
Cloverleaf Infrastructure Data Center Campus (Port Washington): Cloverleaf Infrastructure is planning a large 1,900-acre data center campus in Port Washington, which is expected to take five to eight years to complete.
QTS Data Centers (Dane County – Town of Vienna): A Virginia-based developer, QTS Data Centers, is looking to build a data center campus in the town of Vienna in Dane County. This project could involve as many as 15 buildings constructed over the next decade, with an initial phase of three to five buildings.
“Degas LLC” Data Center Project (Beaver Dam): A company operating under the alias “Degas LLC” is pursuing a data center project in Beaver Dam, with a projected investment of $500 million.
Wisconsin Rapids Data Center: Another data center project is on the horizon for Wisconsin Rapids, with a projected investment of $200 million.
Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday signed Wisconsin Act 16, which will create exceptions for Tax Increment Districts in Port Washington and Beaver Dam. The legislation aims to support attracting new data centers and continue growing the multi-billion-dollar data center industry in the state.
The city of Janesville, which recently acquired the former GM site, says developers have approached the local officials inquiring about the site’s potential for hosting a data center, according to a news release.
At the Janesville City Council meeting on Monday, July 14, city administration will request council consideration and action on a proposal to review and approve a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Data Center Developer to redevelop the former GM/JATCO site.
An RFP process would be a part of a strategic initiative to gather detailed information from qualified developers regarding the site’s potential for this type of use, according to the city.
Proposals will also help assess whether a potential data center development aligns with community priorities.
It does not commit the city to any specific project but is intended to determine viability, attract serious interest, and identify the best path forward for the long-term economic redevelopment of the site.
