Balloonist data center campus (Menomonie)
Also called: Balloonist LLC, Menomonie data center
Balloonist LLC planned a $1.6 billion data center on about 320 acres in Menomonie. After strong public pushback over secrecy and water use, the project was put on hold. The company still owns the land and would need new zoning under the city's coming data center rules.
Where things stand: On hold. The company owns the land, but the city is still writing new data center zoning rules. The company would then have to ask for new zoning.
🕒 Latest update (Aug 2026): The City Council discussed a draft data center ordinance: 800-foot setbacks, a water-saving plan and a bond to restore the land if the site closes. Final adoption is aimed for the end of 2026.
What we know
- 📍 WhereAbout 320 acres along County Highway B, annexed into the city from the Town of Red Cedar, Menomonie, Dunn County
- 🏢 CompanyBalloonist LLC
- 🌳 Size320 acres
- 💧 Water75,000 gallons a day
- 💵 Cost$1.6 billion
- 👷 Jobs promised75
- 🤐 Secret deal (NDA)Yes. The city signed a secret deal (NDA) with Balloonist LLC in February 2024. Balloonist LLC is the same company name that signed an NDA in Beaver Dam for Meta's data center.
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Which company would use the Menomonie data center? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much electricity would it use? 🙋 I'll find out
- When will the City Council vote on the new data center zoning rules? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will Balloonist LLC apply again under the new rules? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Feb 2024The city signed a secret deal (NDA) with Balloonist LLC.
- July 2025Balloonist LLC asked the city to annex the land and zone it industrial. The company announced a $1.6 billion plan.
- Aug 2025The City Council approved the rezoning, 8-3.
- Sept 2025Balloonist LLC bought the land. Talks on a tax deal (TIF) were paused, and the mayor put the project on hold.
- Dec 2, 2025Residents protested the project in Dunn County.
- Jan 2026The City Council took data centers out of the 'warehousing' zoning definition.
- Aug 2026The City Council discussed a draft data center ordinance: 800-foot setbacks, a water-saving plan and a bond to restore the land if the site closes. Final adoption is aimed for the end of 2026.
Local votes and rules
📜 Data center rules
Menomonie is writing data center zoning rules. The draft has an 800-foot setback, a water-saving plan, and a bond to restore the land if the site closes. A revised draft goes to the council in September and the Planning Commission in October, with a possible vote by the end of 2026.
🗳️ Election
Menomonie voters elected Matthew Crowe as mayor over the sitting mayor. Crowe opposed the data center and said the city had not been open about it.
🗺️ Zoning change
Menomonie took data centers out of its 'warehousing' zoning definition, so a data center can no longer be built as if it were a warehouse.
🗺️ Zoning change
Menomonie's City Council voted 8-3 to annex and rezone land to industrial for Balloonist LLC's planned $1.6 billion data center. The project was later put on hold after public pushback.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- After public outcry, Menomonie will release draft guidelines for data center project · WPR · July 2026
- At least 4 Wisconsin communities signed secrecy deals for billion-dollar data centers · WPR · Jan 26, 2026
- Mayor Crowe press release on data center status · Eye on Dunn · June 30, 2026
- Protesters gather in Dunn County to protest proposed data center · WEAU · Dec 2, 2025
- Menomonie City Council data center ordinance · WCFW / Civic Media · Aug 10, 2026
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