(BEAVER DAM) Another data center is coming to Beaver Dam. The city is selling slightly more than 14 acres of land at Highway 151 and Hemlock Road to Minnesota developer Oppidan for $407,340.
Oppidan plans to build a 90,000-square-foot edge data center, a much smaller project than the 700,000-square-foot hyperscale AI data center that tech giant Meta is building nearby.
Monday’s vote was 11-3, with alders Frank Ferree, Elwood Flaherty, and Jeff Bierman voting against. Deliberations among members of the Common Council revealed conflicted feelings on both sides.
Alder Joe Bonnett said arriving at his vote to approve was a difficult decision after months of hearing from area residents with serious concerns about water usage, utility rates, and tax fairness. He said the recommendations of city staff and advisors ultimately persuaded him.
“This is not easy for anybody,” said Bonnett. “But we’ve got to trust that we have the people who are looking out for the best interests of the city.”
Alder Andrew Perkins said he also arrived at his yes vote with some misgivings.
“I think there is some unknown that I want to get clarified,” said Perkins. “Why did a well dry up, right? Why are we having these issues, and can we resolve those? Because that does bother me.”
Alder Elwood Flaherty voted against the Oppidan deal, calling it a speculative investment, although he said the company addressed many of his concerns to his satisfaction.
“It seems they’ve been diligent and they’re trying to be good to us. But the fact that we don’t know is troubling.”
Alder Jeff Bierman was more blunt about his reasons for voting no.
“I’m not against growth, by no means. But I’m against the wrong kind of growth.”
Construction is set to start this summer, and the data center is expected to go online in 2028.
