Dozens of people packed a Mishicot restaurant to voice their opposition toward an artificial intelligence data center being built in the area, Jan. 26, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Manitowoc County continues to explore placing a one-year moratorium on data centers.
It comes less than two months after three towns proactively petitioned the county to fend off a data center from being built. Two Creeks, Two Rivers and Mishicot banded together in response to several Mishicot farms being approached with land purchase offers by Cloverleaf Infrastructure and NSI Land Services.
On Monday afternoon, Manitowoc County’s Planning and Park Commission approved a measure that would “enact a moratorium on the receipt of applications and the granting of all permits or approvals for the placement or construction of data centers.”
The county board now has to approve the ordinance, which could happen as soon as April 28.
Ordinance passes unanimously
“I think it’s a real, sound notion to actually do this moratorium. Basically, to get our ducks in a row,” said Planning and Park Commission Chair James Falkowski.
Added board member Dave Korinek, “You get a year, get all the information. I mean, we really don’t know a lot because we don’t have the companies here telling us exactly what they’re doing.”
The ordinance passed unanimously on the five-person board.
About 70 people in attendance, all opposed to data centers/support moratorium
About a dozen commenters attended the meeting and voiced opposition to data centers. Most expressed concerns about environmental impacts and farmland being destroyed.
At one point in the meeting, the board asked if anyone opposed the moratorium. Out of the roughly 70 people in attendance, not a single hand was raised.
“We have become concerned about the high potential for water, life and noise pollution, and for the destruction of wildlife habitat,” said Catherine Leone of Manitowoc. “These are the most obvious potential negative consequences.”
“The bottom line is, once the land, the forests and the ecosystems are destroyed, they’re gone forever,” said Mishicot resident Susan Dirkman.
Local alderman and board supervisor join opposition of data centers
“We’re not saying ‘no.’ We’re saying ‘not now,'” said Manitowoc alderperson Andrew Dunbar. “And currently and clearly, this room is requesting it to be not now.”
Added Mishicot town supervisor Stefaniak, “I can’t express my reluctance enough against this project. I hope the moratorium passes.”
Another Northeast Wisconsin city that has proactively set limitations on data centers is Kaukauna, which allowed for data centers in its city zoning code, but adds that it would require City Council approval. Greenleaf’s backlash caused a company to abandon a data center project in January.
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