Menomonie Mayor Halts $1.6 Billion Balloonist Data Center Project
Mayor Randy Knaack stopped city support for a $1.6 billion data center project following resident opposition to water usage and farmland loss.
Menomonie Mayor Randy Knaack halted city support for a proposed $1.6 billion data center project led by Balloonist, LLC. Knaack instructed City Administrator Eric Atkinson to notify the company that the city will not negotiate a development agreement or establish a tax increment district. This decision reverses previous city actions that included the annexation and rezoning of approximately 320 acres of farmland for the site.
Knaack cited the need to prioritize community concerns over the developer's sales pitch after residents raised objections regarding noise, light pollution, and the loss of farmland. Specifically, constituents expressed concern over estimated water usage of 75,000 gallons per day. The project had promised $1.7 million in annual tax revenue, 50 to 75 high-paying full-time positions, and up to 1,000 construction jobs.
The mayor's move created friction within the local government. One member of the city council attempted a vote of no confidence against Knaack in response to the decision.
