BALSAM LAKE, Wis. (NWN) — A northwestern Wisconsin county is the latest to adopt an AI data center moratorium.
Polk County supervisors heard from residents prior to last week’s vote.
“I don’t want to see you guys having to look at your neighbors, your grandchildren and your family and explain why the water is brown, why the bees are gone and our community has collapsed,” a resident said.
Supervisor Adam Jarchow (JAR-co) was the sole vote against the 12-month moratorium.
“The same board will pass amendments to the zoning ordinance and those amendments will permit data centers as a conditional use in certain parts of Polk County. So if that’s the end game, why send a signal now that we’re closed for business?” Jarchow said.
Jarchow is a former Republican state legislator and an attorney who represents a data center developer in adjacent St. Croix County.
Counties and communities across Wisconsin are increasingly turning to moratoriums as residents raise concerns over whether the tech developments are appropriate where they live.