(JUNEAU) The pushback against AI data centers in Beaver Dam is getting some help from comedian Charlie Berens. He spoke to about 400 people Tuesday night in Juneau at an event billed as The People’s Town Hall. At the event, he was critical of the role that shell companies and a nondisclosure agreement played in the approval of the Meta AI data center.
“When it comes to these AI data centers, I just want Wisconsin to decide for Wisconsin. I want Beaver Dam to decide for Beaver Dam. I don’t want a tech company deciding for you guys.”
Berens has been making similar appearances before groups fighting data centers throughout Wisconsin. He denied that he’s getting paid for those appearances. He also addressed the criticism that he should forego activism and stick to comedy.
“I will stick to comedy when our politicians stick to policy, and stop protecting big tech and start protecting the people who put them into office.”
Organizers of the event told Daily Dodge it had to be held eight miles away at the Juneau Community Center because they were unable to secure a venue in Beaver Dam.
Tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is building a $1 billion, 700,000-square-foot AI data center in Beaver Dam, expected to be operational in 2027. Minnesota-based developer Oppidan is proposing to build a smaller data center nearby.
