Former Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill Site’s Access to Power was One Factor in Being Selected for New AI Data Center

Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 -- 8:01 AM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher says access to power was one factor in the city’s selection as the site for a new AI data center.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, he says that’s a legacy of the city’s now shuttered paper mill. In an interview with WSAU, Zacher said the renewable energy from dams that once powered the Verso mill was a really good selling point.

He said the size of the machines that were running and what it took to power those things up and keep them running 24/7 was phenomenal. Digital Power Optimization has secured land on the former paper mill site to develop a high-performance computing facility by 2026.

In addition to the project in Rapids, Microsoft has purchased 240 acres for a new data center complex in Kenosha.

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