Data Center Revolt Bus Tour Stops in Janesville; Efforts to Slow Development Could Slam the Brakes on Jobs, Investment and Transformational Local Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Edge Project (AEP), a coalition of nearly two dozen domestic organizations, highlighted the economic and community benefits artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure investment can deliver across Wisconsin as the Data Center Revolt Bus Tour brings renewed attention to the debate.

As communities weigh concerns around energy, infrastructure and local impacts, AEP is urging policymakers and residents to consider what responsible development can provide, including skilled-trade jobs, new investment, a stronger local tax base and infrastructure improvements.

“Wisconsin communities should ask hard questions and demand clear protections,” said Doug Kelly, CEO of AEP. “But stopping responsible data center development would also mean losing skilled-trade jobs, local contracts, tax revenue and major infrastructure investments. The region can preserve its communities while requiring these projects to deliver real and lasting local benefits.”

Local Benefits of AI Infrastructure and Data Center Investments in Wisconsin

  • Statewide economic impact: Wisconsin’s data center industry contributed approximately $9.8 billion to state GDP in 2024, supported approximately 60,330 jobs, and generated roughly $855 million in state and local tax revenue. Meanwhile, Microsoft, Vantage, and Meta have announced more than $36 billion in major Wisconsin data center investments.
  • Skilled-trade jobs and workforce training: Vantage’s Port Washington campus is expected to support more than 4,000 skilled construction jobs and more than 1,000 long-term jobs, while Meta’s Beaver Dam project is expected to support roughly 1,000 construction jobs and more than 100 operational jobs. Microsoft and its Wisconsin partners have also helped train 114,000 people in AI skills, with its Data Center Academy expected to train more than 1,000 students over five years.
  • Expanding Wisconsin’s energy infrastructure: Vantage and We Energies are supporting 1,949 MW of new renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, and battery storage. Port Washington says 30 percent of that capacity is expected to serve other Wisconsin customers, while Vantage covers project-related energy infrastructure costs.
  • Local community benefits: Vantage’s Port Washington campus is expected to generate about $650,000 annually in new property tax revenue for the city and is funding approximately $175 million in infrastructure improvements. In Racine County, Microsoft expects hundreds of employees and contractors to work across its facilities by the end of 2026 while supporting workforce, nonprofit, STEAM, and environmental programs.

America’s AI Leadership is Also at Stake

  • China is aggressively expanding its AI infrastructure. China is targeting a $1.4 trillion AI industry by 2030,including a $295 billion construction plan over five years to build a nationwide network of AI data centers.
  • China’s energy capacity is accelerating its AI buildout. China generates twice as much electricity as the United States and aims to double its data center capacity by 2030.
  • Beijing is working to shape global AI standards. China is creating an international AI body headquartered in Shanghai to help shape global AI rules.
  • The technology gap is narrowing. The performance gap between leading U.S. and Chinese AI models has narrowed to approximately 2.7 percent, while China’s AI models account for 41 percent of downloads, passing U.S. models outright.

Learn more by viewing the Wisconsin fact sheet here. 

BACKGROUND:

The American Edge Project is a coalition of domestic organizations representing a cross-section of U.S. innovators who are dedicated to telling the story about technology’s positive influence on America’s economy and the vital role innovation plays in our society. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, former U.S. Representative Chris Carney, and former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith are directors of the American Edge Project. AEP’s National Security Advisory Board is comprised of Former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend; retired four-star General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., United States Marine Corps (USMC), who served as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell. Former U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Economic Advisory Board. Former U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and Former U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board.

Visit AmericanEdgeProject.org for more information.