Community and business leaders took part in the groundbreaking of the Lighthouse Campus, a $15B data center project in Port Washington.
Vantage breaks ground on $15B data center investment
“Do everything you can to serve the legacy of our community while moving us forward, so we can maintain the greatness that we’ve enjoyed.”
That was the request of Ted Neitzke, Mayor of Port Washington, just minutes before community leaders, business executives, tradespeople and other stakeholders turned the ceremonial dirt during the groundbreaking of a $15 billion data center project led by Vantage Data Centers with Oracle and OpenAI.
“As mayor, I can’t wait for the day that we have this world-class project open, that people identify Port Washington for two things: our history and our future, that we are a model of sustainability across the state and the country,” said Neitzke. “ … This will return us to those glory days of Port Washington. And our city will not only have a future, but will be able to sustain and grow, and all of the local people who own these local businesses will see an influx to help us grow stronger and move forward.”
More than 200 people attended Wednesday’s event to celebrate the beginning of construction on the Lighthouse Campus – part of a $500 billion network of infrastructure powering artificial intelligence.
“Work is underway. There’s a lot to do. So let’s get to it,” said Dana Adams, President of North American Vantage Data Centers.
On the front end, the work will require thousands of construction workers over the course of the three-year project – with a priority placed on union labor.
“This $15 billion Lighthouse campus represents a once-in-a-generation investment for Wisconsin, all built with union hands. Over the next three years, more than 4,000 skilled tradespeople will shape this campus from the ground up,” said Emily Pritzkow, executive director of the Wisconsin Building Trades Council. “That’s 4,000 families with good-paying jobs, health care, retirement security. That’s hundreds of apprentices learning their craft on cutting-edge infrastructure that will power our state’s future.”
In addition to those construction jobs, the development will generate more than 1,000 full-time positions once operational and is expected to support additional indirect jobs, estimated at more than 5,000, through local suppliers, vendors and subcontractors – benefiting small businesses throughout the region.
The project is also projected to add millions in property tax revenue, reducing the tax burden on residents and providing crucial funding for public resources such as schools, parks, and roads.
“The direct investments we’re making in city infrastructure plus the tax benefits from the project will provide critical long-term funding for schools, parks and roads supporting the future of Port Washington and the surrounding areas,” said Adams. “This is the vision that Mayor Ted Neitzke and his many supporters had for the site from the beginning.”
Adams addressed concerns some have regarding water consumption at the site, saying the facility will only use water equivalent to what 65 area homes would use annually. She also reiterated their commitment to investing in a clean power infrastructure necessary to run the facility, mentioning the Lighthouse Campus will utilize 70% clean energy provided by We Energies. Vantage is funding 600MW of clean energy development that will feed the grid for all users.
Lastly, Adams said they are awaiting approval from the state’s Public Service Commission on special rates exclusive to data centers, negating increases for other residential and business users.
“We will strive every day to be a good neighbor. We are here to listen, to share, to engage and to be transparent with you,” said Adams. “We firmly believe that the way we win is by all working together, respecting your needs while building a future that lifts us all up.”
