Menomonie receives petition to annex 324 acres for proposed data center

At its July 7 meeting, the Menomonie City Council reviewed two petitions related to a proposed annexation and rezoning of 324 acres of land along County Highway B, between 650th Avenue and 690th Avenue—land currently part of the Town of Red Cedar.

The annexation petition was submitted by landowners Nicholas Rassbach, Ronnie Prochnow, Rusk Prairie Farms, LLC, Red Cedar Produce, LLC, Janet Koepl, Gregory Quilling, and Anthony and Adrie Swanson. Before annexation can move forward, the land would first need to be temporarily rezoned as Agricultural. A proposed ordinance was introduced and referred to the Plan Commission for review and recommendation.

A second petition—submitted by all of the same landowners, with the exception of Gregory Quilling, and including Balloonist, LLC—requests that the same land be rezoned from temporary Agricultural to Restricted Industrial use. This separate ordinance was also referred to the Plan Commission.

According to a letter from attorney Douglas Buck, representing Balloonist, LLC, the rezoning and annexation are part of a plan to develop a data center on the property. Buck noted that the project depends on access to municipal water and sewer services provided by the City.

Council members expressed a need for more information before making a final decision when these petitions come back before the Council. Council member Lee Schwebs said he wanted more details about the company proposing the data center and the economics of the project. Council members Sydney Brennan and Abigail Pickard voiced similar concerns. Brennan also requested additional information on the environmental impact of the development.

The Plan Commission will review both ordinances at its July 28 meeting and offer a recommendation to the Council. A public hearing on the proposals is scheduled for the August 4 City Council meeting.

YMCA Childcare Partnership Prompts Zoning Request

The Council also reviewed a request from Alliance Church to rezone its property at 502 21st Street N. from Single Family Residential (R-1) to Local Commercial (B-2). The proposed rezoning would allow the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley to lease part of the church to operate a licensed childcare program for school-age children. A proposed ordinance was introduced and referred to the Plan Commission. A public hearing will be held at the August 4 meeting.

Council Discusses New Non-Profit Grant Program

The Council considered a proposal from Mayor Randy Knaack and City Administrator Eric Atkinson regarding a possible non-profit financial assistance grant initiative. This grant program would replace the current subsidy model currently used. The plan would allow eligible nonprofits to apply for grants of up to $20,000, with a total of $50,000 allocated for the program. Council member Sydney Brennan requested additional time to review the proposal. This item will be considered at a future meeting.

Ad-Hoc Housing Committee Formed

The Council unanimously approved the formation of an Ad-Hoc Housing Committee to address issues of housing affordability, availability, and quality within the city. Council members Cody Gentz, Matthew Crowe, Mary Solberg, and Sydney Brennan were appointed to the committee. As more than three council members will serve on the committee, meetings will be publicly posted and minutes recorded. The committee is expected to present its findings and recommendations to the Council no later than January 26, 2026.

Facade Grant to Support Mabel Tainter Repairs

The Council also approved a development agreement with the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts for the repair of two stained glass windows. The city will provide funding through the Facade Improvement Grant Program under Tax Increment District 15, covering up to 10% of the total project cost, not to exceed $20,000. The estimated total for the repairs is $112,000.