Kenosha Residents Push for Data Center Moratorium Amid Microsoft Development Plans

Kenosha residents are pushing for a data center moratorium to pause the proposed Microsoft development in their area. The company announced its purchase of around 240 acres in Kenosha in early 2025, with plans to build a data center. However, since then, few details have been shared about the project, and some residents are raising environmental concerns.

Howard Gussis, a town of Paris resident, spoke out against the project at a city meeting, citing worries about noise pollution and energy demand. 'I think this should be done by referendum,' he said. 'This should not be jammed down our throats.'

Sage Holloway, a member of the group Kenoshans Unite Against Microsoft Data Center, also spoke out against the project. 'Lack of transparency is one of the biggest issues for a lot of us,' she said. 'I feel like there is a world where the residents of Kenosha who oppose this data center could have enough information to feel confident moving forward, and we just don't feel that way.'

The city's FAQ webpage states that the project would increase the tax base for the area, as well as create jobs. However, some residents are pushing for a moratorium, citing concerns about the impact on the environment and local community.