As the debate over data center construction rages on in Wisconsin, the state’s gubernatorial candidates are faced with a critical decision. With economic implications and environmental concerns at the forefront, the question remains: Should Wisconsin impose a temporary halt on new data center projects?
During a recent debate among Democratic candidates for governor, the topic of a one-year moratorium on building data centers was raised. State Rep. Francesca Hong of Madison was the only candidate to support the initiative, visibly indicating her stance with a green thumbs-up sign, while her Democratic counterparts showed red thumbs-down signs.
Hong stands as the lone Democrat advocating for a statewide pause on data center developments, a position she maintains despite opposition from her peers. Business organizations warn that such a moratorium could impede economic progress and remove decision-making power from local communities interested in hosting these centers. Nonetheless, skepticism about data centers is growing among Wisconsin voters, with no major candidates from either political party expressing strong support for their rapid expansion.
In a conversation with WPR, Hong clarified that her proposed moratorium would not affect projects already underway in places like Mount Pleasant and Beaver Dam. She argues the pause would allow the state to establish regulations for the industry, aiming to protect consumers from increased utility costs, enforce environmental safeguards, and ensure the use of union labor in construction.
“If we don’t have regulations that are enforceable in place, that unchecked growth is going to lead to more economic devastation as well as environmental devastation,” Hong remarked. “We don’t have enough data on data centers right now to even measure that impact yet. The scale and speed in which these developments and the proposals are going up, the state has a responsibility to respond.”
Across the United States, 15 states, including Wisconsin, have deliberated on moratoriums or restrictions related to data center development, as reported by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Previously, Hong introduced a bill to impose such a moratorium in Wisconsin, but it failed to pass.
Economic Contributions of Data Centers
Dale Kooyenga, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, underscores how vital data center investments have been to Wisconsin’s economic growth. An October 2025 report by Moody’s Analytics highlighted that Wisconsin’s economy was thriving even as neighboring states faced stagnation.
Kooyenga emphasizes that the data center boom has benefited local businesses like Generac and Modine Manufacturing, enabling them to expand their workforce. He also highlighted that these projects create union construction jobs and provide substantial property tax revenue that supports local schools and governments.
“To put a moratorium on data centers is to put a moratorium on economic growth,” he asserted.
Public Opinion and Political Stance
Despite the economic advantages outlined, data centers are generally unpopular among Wisconsin residents. A May survey by the Marquette Law School Poll found that 71% of voters believe the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits. Charles Franklin, director of the poll, noted that this skepticism spans across political affiliations.
As a result, no candidate in the gubernatorial race has openly supported data centers. “You’re not seeing anybody speaking up for data centers, but Hong has been more outspoken against them than anybody else,” Franklin noted.
Both Democratic and Republican candidates have advocated for more transparency and protections for ratepayers concerning data center developments. Democratic primary opponents of Hong have called for environmental and labor safeguards, while GOP nominee U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany has pledged to end data center subsidies in Wisconsin.
Potential Impact of a Moratorium
Hong’s advocacy for a moratorium is not without controversy. Critics argue that it could hinder developers like Cloverleaf Infrastructure, which is actively seeking new sites in northeast Wisconsin after being involved in the Port Washington data center project.
Local governments in Wisconsin, such as the city of Superior and the village of Wrightstown, have already enacted their own moratoriums, reflecting the contentious nature of this issue.
Kooyenga argues that Hong’s proposal undermines local autonomy, insisting that decisions should be left to individual communities. “It should be local control, and that local community should make an assessment based on specific proposals from specific companies, and work out a deal and an arrangement that is in the best interest of the community,” he said.
Hong, however, sees a statewide moratorium as a necessary step to ensure decisions are made with environmental guardrails in place, preventing communities from being pressured into development opportunities that may not align with their interests.
As the debate over data centers continues, it remains unclear how this issue will influence voters in Wisconsin’s upcoming primary for governor.
