1 data center project in Port Washington City
Who decides here: the City Council of Port Washington City votes on zoning. The Ozaukee County may review big projects too.
In Port Washington City
Local votes and rules
🗳️ Public vote
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
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'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.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Port Washington City. - Go to council meetings.
Anyone can speak. Big projects usually need a public hearing. - Ask questions in writing.
Use our checklist.
🔔 Get told first
⚡ Your electric company
Depending on where you live in Port Washington City: Wppi Energy (municipal mktg authority) or Wisconsin Electric Power Co. (company).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in Wisconsin.
🙋 Open tasks here
- How much water will the campus use per day?
- How many diesel backup generators will be on site?
- What is the route of the proposed new power line?