Local votes and rules
🗳️ Public vote · Port Washington
Port Washington voters approved a resident-led rule, 2,710 to 1,371, that makes any new tax deal (TIF district) over $10 million need voter approval. Residents pushed for it after the city made a $458 million TIF district for the OpenAI-Oracle data center. That project is not affected. Business groups sued to stop the vote, but a judge let it go ahead.
🗳️ Election · Port Washington
A resident group opposed to the Lighthouse data center filed a petition to recall Port Washington's mayor. The city clerk said it was several hundred signatures short of the 1,591 needed, so no recall election was held.
🤝 Agreement with the company · Port Washington
Port Washington's Common Council approved the development deal for the $15 billion Vantage 'Lighthouse' data center campus, later tied to OpenAI and Oracle. The city also made a tax deal (TIF district) to help pay for it.
Find your town
In Wisconsin, your town, village or city usually decides where data centers can go.