June 26, 2026 5:15p
(WGTD)---Construction of a data center in Kenosha could begin as soon as next year.
In late 2024, Kenosha’s Plan Commission recommended approval of a plan to build a data center west of I-94 and along STH 142. At the time, the 243-acre site was located within the boundaries of the Town of Paris. But the property has since been transferred to the city under an arrangement with the town. Commissioners gave their approval without knowing that Microsoft was behind the project.
City Development Director Tim Casey said this week the city is waiting for Microsoft to submit site plans. The city council will have to sign off on a development agreement covering infrastructure.
Josh Birong is the business manager for Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 118. Birong says the Kenosha center, as it’s proposed, is smaller than Microsoft’s first data center in Mt. Pleasant. "The facility in Kenosha is definitely a lot different as far as what it's designed to do," he tells WGTD. "I'm not a data center person so I don't know exactly what it is but based on some of the vague drawings I've seen it's definitely a different type of model."
A spokesperson for Microsoft declined to comment on the status of the Kenosha project.
Speaking outside of a Microsoft community meeting in Sturtevant Tuesday, Birong acknowledged that the Kenosha project has drawn opposition. "I know there's a handful of folks that have concerns--I think it's great," he said. A lot of them are concerned about the environment and other things but the reality is there really is no environmental impact."
A group has sprung up locally to oppose the project. They're co-sponsoring an appearance in Kenosha Tuesday evening by Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens who speaks out publicly against data centers. The event will be held Tuesday from 6-8 at the Rhode Center for the Arts.
The site in question is located near Uline and Amazon warehouses.
Birong tells WGTD he’s been told construction could begin next year.
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