MANITOWOC – Amid rumors that companies are looking at purchasing land in Manitowoc County to build data centers, Tyler Martell, Manitowoc County Board chairman and the sole candidate for county executive in the spring election, declared he will never sign a non-disclosure agreement for any data center project.
Martell said he is not aware of Manitowoc County being approached with any proposals for a data center.
“Let me be perfectly clear, my only responsibility is to you, the people, and I am committed to full transparency,” he said.
Martell attended an AI data center informational meeting in Mishicot Jan. 26 and said, “It was encouraging to see so many engaged Manitowoc County citizens coming together to learn the facts regarding something that could have an incalculable impact on our community.”
The meeting featured talks from Prescott Balch, a resident of Caledonia who opposed Microsoft Corp.’s plan to build a data center in his town; Jodi Labs, an attorney who specializes in environmental, employment and construction law; and Charlie Berens, the popular creator of “Manitowoc Minute,” who has been using his platform to speak out against large data centers in Wisconsin.
Two Rivers City Manager Kyle Kordell said the city of Two Rivers did receive an inquiry from a large-scale data center in October, interested in land on the west side of Two Rivers.
“We took a close look early on and it became clear fairly quickly that large-scale data centers are not a good fit for Two Rivers,” he said.
Communities facing a future with a data center, like Beaver Dam and Port Washington, are raising concerns about massive electricity and water use, strain on local infrastructure, environmental impacts and the creation of very few local jobs after construction is complete, he said.
However, he said the city would still consider welcoming a small data center to the area.
“Protecting our environment and maintaining long-term electric price stability aren’t talking points for us, they’re core responsibilities,” Kordell said. “We take stewardship of our water, natural resources and electric system seriously. This isn’t about opposing technology or growth. We need those things. It’s about setting responsible boundaries and making sure growth works for Two Rivers, not just today, but decades from now.”
However, not all residents are opposed to the idea of hosting data centers in Manitowoc County.
In a recent Herald Times Reporter article, readers shared opinions about whether a data center would be welcome in Manitowoc County.
Michael Van said data centers are the future.
“If Manitowoc wants future jobs and to contribute to and benefit from AI and other computer-based jobs, we must at least accept data centers,” he wrote. “If you do not grow with the future, you lose out on growth.”
Jerome Hlinak from Tisch Mills said he thinks Newton would be the best area in the county for a data center.
Many, like Connie Denor from Two Rivers, believes data centers would kill the county’s small towns by using up precious farmland, driving up electricity prices and spreading noise pollution.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc County. She can be reached by email at aschafer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Tyler Martell rejects NDAs on Manitowoc County data centers
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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