Is Wisconsin getting all these data centers a good thing?
Microsoft just announced they're acquiring another 240 acres in Kenosha Racine, adding them to their existing data center project in Mount Pleasant Pleasant Prairie (formerly part of the Foxconn property).
Previously, a developer announced they're planning to build a large data center in Port Washington, WI.
https://biztimes.com/massive-data-center-project-planned-in-port-washington/
I mean, it SOUNDS impressive to say you have a Microsoft facility in your backyard, and great from a PR perspective. However, is it really a good thing? Reasons I see to be somewhat concerned:
- Much like the failed Foxconn project, they take up massive amounts of land, but once completed, have relatively few people actually working there. (Data centers typically are large banks of servers and network hardware that run autonomously. Server and network admins only access the data center floor when they absolutely must, to upgrade or replace hardware. As such, these facilities retain relatively few people.)
- Data centers require massive (and increasing) amounts of power and water. Can we sustain this use in this area? Will the cost of generating the power (including potentially building new plants) be carried by the data center operators, or will it fall to the rest of the ratepayers like you and I?
- How will these facilities be taxed? Will they be treated like warehouses, like manufacturing facitlities, or like retail? Could there be a better long-term use for all this land that is better from a tax perspective?
Edit: corrected Racine to Kenosha, and Pleasant Prairie to Mount Pleasant. I think I got the cities right this time. :)