Wood County Board of Supervisors Approves County-Wide Zoning Ordinance Regarding Data Center Developments

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 -- 10:01 AM

(Erik Pfantz, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune) County staff may receive advance notice of data center development proposals.

According to Erik Pfantz with the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, the Wood County Board voted 16-2 Sept. 15 to enact a county-wide zoning ordinance that requires developers to provide notice of proposals to build large-scale data center developments in all Wood County cities, villages and towns.

District 15 Supervisor Bill Clendenning and District 19 Supervisor Bill Leichtnam voted "no," stating the ordinance did not go far enough in regulating the potential developments.

Wood County Board President and District 16 Supervisor Lance Pliml said he was “blindsided” by a recent data center proposal in Wisconsin Rapids and the new ordinance would at least set a notification standard similar to what the Public Service Commission requires for large energy projects, like recent solar, wind and battery storage proposals in the county.

“We’re saying, ‘we need a heads up,'” Pliml said. “Tell us you’re coming so we can start those conversations ahead of time, otherwise we’re blindsided.” Large-scale data center developers considering projects in Wood County will now need to provide notice to county staff including the planning and zoning director, administrative coordinator and Wood County corporation counsel.

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