Stonebridge Abandons $10 Billion Wisconsin AI Data Center

Maryland-based real estate developer Stonebridge abandoned plans to build a $10 billion artificial intelligence data center in Pacific, Wisconsin. The project would have opened in 2027 and created 400 permanent jobs. The company ceased exploration of the site after Town Chair Steven Pate informed executive Douglas Firstenberg that any proposal would require public meetings with the town board.

While Stonebridge did not officially state a reason for its withdrawal, the firm has shifted its focus to other projects, including a $15 billion complex in Pennsylvania and a $2.6 billion center in Florida.

The project's collapse follows a broader push for transparency in the region. In July 2026, the Columbia County Board adopted a policy prohibiting supervisors from signing nondisclosure agreements concerning data center proposals, a move championed by Supervisor Denise Brusveen to ensure public trust.