TIGERTON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – A proposed AI data center in Tigerton is raising questions and concerns among residents who say they want more information before any decision is made.
Serena Smith, a Tigerton resident, said she wants to know the environmental impact on the community’s water, air and wildlife. “This is an area where people move to enjoy the scenery. I want to know how this is going to affect that scenery and our communities,” Smith said.
Smith said she is leaning against the proposed 34-acre, 25- to 30-megawatt facility until more information is available.
Jessica Kriegl, a third-generation Tigerton resident, agrees with Smith and said there has been a lack of transparency. “I believe we had someone come here and tried to sell us a bill of goods so far. So, we really don’t know a whole lot of what the effects are,” Kriegl said.
“We don’t even know who is actually going to be owning this data center or what it’s truly for. So, I think that that all needs to come to light before anyone can make a decision,” said Kriegl, who also has children who are fourth-generation residents.
Bonnie DeHart, a resident of Fairbanks Township which borders Tigerton, shares similar concerns. She said Shawano County has a one-year moratorium on data centers, but that does not apply to the village of Tigerton.
“Maybe it’s the best thing in the world but we need to have the time to figure it out and if it’s not we need to be able to stop it. Because we’re going to be here forever and the data center may not be,” DeHart said.
Residents are encouraged to attend future city-planned meetings on September 9th and 15th.
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