‘AI data center plans for Greenleaf scrapped amid community opposition’

Plans for an artificial intelligence data center in the Village of Greenleaf, Wisconsin, were abandoned following strong opposition from residents and local leaders. The proposed development by Cloverleaf Infrastructure would have covered hundreds of acres west of State Highway 32/57 and stood among the first AI data centers in northeastern Wisconsin. Community members quickly mobilized, organizing informational meetings and online forums to raise concerns about potential environmental impacts, increased energy and water use, and the effect such a large facility could have on the area’s rural character. Many landowners publicly stated they would not sell their property and called on local officials to reject the proposal.

In response to the widespread backlash, Cloverleaf Infrastructure and village leaders agreed not to pursue the Greenleaf site. Village Board President Bonnie Crossman and area residents expressed relief at the decision, while acknowledging that broader regional discussions about data center development, transparency, and regulation are likely to continue.

Jodi Labs of the Izaak Walton League’s Brown County chapter encouraged residents to remain informed and engaged on these issues, participate in government meetings, and consider tools such as voter referendums, stressing the importance of sustained civic involvement even when a specific proposal is no longer moving forward.