SHAWANO, WI- More than 100 residents filled the Shawano County Courthouse on Wednesday to voice their opinions on a proposed moratorium on new data center development, with speaker after speaker urging county leaders to proceed cautiously before allowing large-scale projects in the area.
After hearing from more than two dozen residents, the Shawano County Planning, Development and Zoning Committee voted to advance the proposed moratorium to the full county board for consideration later this month.
The moratorium would temporarily halt the construction of new data centers in portions of the county, giving officials additional time to study potential impacts and consider future regulations.
Committee Chair Kathy Luebke said the pause would allow county leaders to gather more information before making long-term decisions.
“At that time, we’ll be able to study, analyze and look over ordinances or whatever needs to be done,” Luebke said.
Residents who spoke during the hearing raised concerns about water usage, environmental impacts, noise, energy consumption and potential effects on tourism.
Lori Hayes of Shawano argued that preserving local farmland and natural resources should take priority.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have beautiful, pristine farmland,” Hayes said. “Data centers require five million gallons of water each day. I would rather that our water goes to supporting our farmers.”
She also expressed concerns about long-term commitments from developers.
“They have to be responsible members of a community,” she added. “They deserve to have the ability to live in a land that has not been destroyed by somebody who comes in and just takes from the land and then 10 years from now walks away.”
Others worried about the potential impact on Shawano Lake and the county’s tourism industry.
“I believe it could even drive away tourists, as our lake is one of our biggest selling points in Shawano,” another resident said. “If they start sucking up water at extreme rates, it could end up drying up the lake or even lowering it.”
Several speakers also questioned how increased water usage could affect fishing and water quality.
“If we know that it’s going to poison the water, how many of our kids drink from the water?” one resident asked. “How is it going to affect things like fishing on Shawano Lake or the Wolf River?”
Area organizer Gracie Waukeshawn urged officials to use the moratorium as an opportunity to carefully evaluate future development.
“We need to support our forests and our waterways,” Waukeshawn said. “This is the sustainable way to enact policy – to give ourselves time to think about it.”
The committee also heard from residents outside the county. One woman, Sarah Zarling traveled from Watertown to share concerns based on development occurring near Beaver Dam.
“Near Beaver Dam, residents are already reporting their wells drying up, water contamination and damage to property,” she said.
No speakers at Wednesday’s hearing voiced support for allowing data center development without restrictions or regulations.
Luebke noted that the proposed moratorium would not apply countywide. Municipalities with their own zoning authority would need to consider similar measures independently.
“This does not include the towns of Aniwa, Barton, Belle Plaine, Hartland, Hutchins, Lesser, Pella, Richmond and Wescott, or any village or city in the county,” Luebke explained. Those municipalities will have to approve their own moratoriums.
State Sen. Eric Wimberger was in attendance and addressed the issue.
The proposal now moves to the Shawano County Board, which is expected to consider the moratorium later this month.
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