Menomonie community members release 41-point resolution on data center protections

On February 15, more than 100 residents packed a banquet hall, stood up one by one  at a microphone, named their fears about hyperscale data center development — and then did something remarkable:  they reached unanimous agreement on 41 provisions to protect their community. No shouting. No walkouts. No partisan divide. 

"People left having done something we haven't seen leaders in Washington or Madison do in a long time," said organizer  Blaine Halverson. "They came to broad agreement through a firm, shared insistence that local government hear us." 

The group expected to settle on ten or twelve consensus items. Instead, someone asked: "Why can't we include it all?"  The room agreed. Not one person objected.  

On Thursday, February 26, at 6:30 PM, the group’s complete community resolution will be released by Halverson via Zoom, launching a 500-signature drive ahead of its submission to the city.

The Irony: Stopping a Data Center by Writing the Rules  

The resolution calls for protections in Menomonie's new I-4 Data Center Industrial Zone — which some would consider an ironic stance for a group that wants to stop a data center. Halverson disagrees.

"Communities all over the country have shown us the best way to STOP a data center is to have strong rules that make exploitation impossible," he said. "Clear rules deter bad neighbors or attract good ones. Ambiguous rules attract conflict."  

Why It Matters Beyond Menomonie  

"Data center development might not be on the table in YOUR town…yet. Or it might be already, but is a secret. We’re  hoping the work we’re doing can inform and empower other communities to control their own destinies."  

A Path Forward for Local Action  

During the Zoom event, Halverson will also launch “Dunn Allies Taking Action”, a non-partisan civic action group committed to identifying and solving local public issues through coalition-building rather than ideology. He notes that the data center issue, and the diversity of political viewpoint among those in opposition, inspired the idea.  

The objective? “Find one local issue at a time that unites us, and needs action, and then act on it together,” he says. 

EVENT DETAILS 

What: Resolution release + signature drive launch + Launch Announcement of Dunn Allies Taking Action

When: Thursday, February 26, 6:30 PM (Zoom)  

Where: Register via Facebook: "Stop the Menomonie Data Center"

ZOOM LINK

Meeting ID: 843 5116 2214 Passcode: 437768  

Council Presentation: Forthcoming – To Be Announced 

Media release.