Posted on 09/09/2025 4:24:07 AM PDT by C19fan
A peaceful Wisconsin city has been thrown into a frenzy as a mysterious company plans to build a $1.6billion data center on hundreds of acres of farmland.
Menomonie is facing the largest development plans the historic city has ever seen - and its residents are fighting back.
Known for its stunning landscapes and small-town feel, Menomonie may be home to a massive data center that citizens fear will drain the area of not only its charm, but its resources.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
A complicated matter and I know nothing about this stuff. But I do know that the Rust Belt and other areas of the country used to have thriving towns and cities. Rivers, Railroads, Canals, Resources offered reasons for cities like Syracuse, Cleveland, Indianopolis and many smaller locations to thrive. Good infrastructure, high populations, etc. But then it all fell apart and the reasons for this locations to exist pretty much evaporated. The US has many “empty” towns and cities. Sad places.
It may not be practical (location always matters) but it sure would be nice to throw $1.6B into one of those empty places and revive past glory. Seems a shame to ruin an idyllic little town. You just know it’s going to be an empty eyesore in 50 or 100 years.
How many people work at these centers? Let’s get more facts on the table.
There was a story on X that Elon had bought the Echostar bandwidth. Possible cell phone system?
I live in one of those little towns, and life here is just fine. While the rest of the world is burning, I'm debating whether I should lock the door while I run to the store. I bought what the county assessor classified as a "mansion" for half what my Central FL condo sold for.
“@grok…is it true our electricity bill is going up because AI data centers are drawing more and more power from the grid paying much less per kw than us ordinary folk?”
Old people hate change and young people need jobs.
But remember….we need to cull all the cows, stop using fertilizer and use public transportation because it’s important to fight climate change.
Why are so many large data centers suddenly needed?
It’s certainly not to provide information to the people. I suspect they need more data storage to store information ON the people.
AI needs these data centers.
Having built 2 of these, I can say that each building will only employ 20 - 30 people. Maybe double that for other shifts.
Indians and man-bun dudes on scooters, nothing of any use economically to a town
You stated: “But I do know that the Rust Belt and other areas of the country used to have thriving towns and cities.”
And: “...sure would be nice to throw $1.6B into one of those empty places and revive past glory.”
Fabulous statement and couldn’t agree more. Having lived in the upscale Detroit ‘burbs for decades I’ve seen have seen this once great city deteriorate into a hellhole as it led into the eventual riots in ‘67. The population is a third of what it used to be and by satelite it is rather green from all the houses torn down.
Franklin Roosevelt was speaking of the “Arsenal of Democracy” and it quickly evolved into Detroit and to this day there are still remnants from the Warren row houses by the tank plants to the bombers at Willow Run airport. (Coolest air show I’ve ever seen is the WWII bombers in front of the original Ford building)
Lots of power, lots of green space.
Data Centers are the latest fad. A few years ago it was Battery Plants and now new ones are rarely being built. Granted it’s all part of a diabolical plan.
Some are being shut down mid way. I worked on a huge Battery Plant in Bowlimg Green that is now nothing more than a $300 million bird roost. Huge structure with a roof, walls, but no windows or doors
The government pushes something with subsidies and backed loans and everyone jumps to the trough.
Well, everyone is using energy star appliances, LED lights, and other “efficient” things nowadays, so they have to have some excuse for why the price of electricity never drops.
So who is actually owns Balloonist LLC ... China?
I’ve been to Menomonie once.
Toured the Leinekugel’s brewery, had a hangover at the time...long story.
Stop using the term “rust belt.” It’s a perjorative made up by coastal elites. It’s insulting.
The young people I know around here stay pretty busy. There's a ton of home renovation work that takes place in these old towns, and those are some great skills to carry forward into life. And there's still plenty of other work for young people around here as well.
An older gentleman around here spent his entire life building up a local business that he just sold for $100 million.
Regarding old people hating change, I've turned this house into an "AI lab". Because our power company is also our Internet company I've actually got Internet service in this little pop. 2000 town that I could only dream of in my former big city home.
When I first moved to this little town I thought that, having been a former engineer at NASA, I might bring some unique "special sauce" to the community. That was before I learned that my neighbor across the street is a "former NASA engineer".
I don’t get why we new all this AI.
Nice turd polishing.
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