Wisconsin Town Rejects Trump-Backed AI Data Center Project

Voters in Port Washington pass ballot measure requiring public approval for future large-scale tech projects.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:24pm

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Voters in the small Wisconsin city of Port Washington overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that will require public approval for large-scale tech projects, like the $15 billion OpenAI-Oracle-Vantage data center campus planned with the backing of former President Donald Trump. The measure passed by a two-to-one margin, with 66% of voters supporting it.

Why it matters

The Port Washington vote represents a growing backlash against the rapid expansion of AI and data center infrastructure, even in smaller communities. The measure adds an extra layer of public oversight for future big-ticket tech projects, which supporters say is necessary for 'responsible development' in the face of concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of such facilities.

The details

The ballot measure does not stop the construction of the Trump-backed data center, but it requires the public to approve hefty tax incentives for developers involved in future multi-million or billion-dollar projects in the area. The effort was organized by the local group Great Lakes Neighbors United, whose co-founder Carri Prom said they are 'not specifically anti-development' or 'anti-tech,' but want to ensure 'responsible' growth.

  • Voters in Port Washington approved the ballot measure on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The planned $15 billion OpenAI-Oracle-Vantage data center campus was first announced in October 2025.

The players

Great Lakes Neighbors United

A local group in Port Washington that organized the successful ballot measure campaign.

Carri Prom

The co-founder of Great Lakes Neighbors United who said the group is not "anti-development" or "anti-tech," but wants "responsible" growth.

Brad Tietz

The state policy director for the Data Center Coalition, a membership organization that supports data center facilities, who said he is "not aware of another ballot referendum" on the issue "that has been taken directly to the voters yet."

Charlie Berens

A Wisconsin-born comedian with nearly 3 million YouTube subscribers who supported the ballot measure and criticized the lack of regulation on AI data centers.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who backed the planned $15 billion OpenAI-Oracle-Vantage data center campus in Port Washington.

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What they’re saying

“None of us are specifically anti-development. We're not even really anti-tech. It's just that we want responsible development, and we want responsible tech moving forward.”

— Carri Prom, Co-founder, Great Lakes Neighbors United

“If this trend continues and grows, it's going to have significant consequences for our economic competitiveness [and] our national security.”

— Brad Tietz, State Policy Director, Data Center Coalition

“We have more regulations on a bratwurst than the entire artificial intelligence community.”

— Charlie Berens

What’s next

The planned $15 billion OpenAI-Oracle-Vantage data center campus is still scheduled to move forward, but the new ballot measure will require the public to approve any hefty tax incentives for the developers.

The takeaway

The Port Washington vote highlights growing public concerns about the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, even in smaller communities, and the desire for more local control and oversight over large-scale tech projects that can have significant economic and environmental impacts.