Meta's $1 Billion Data Center: Wisconsin's Next Big Tech Boom!

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up! Meta is about to drop a bombshell in Wisconsin with a nearly $1 billion data center project. This isn't just a big deal; it's a game-changer for the state's economy and tech ecosystem. Let's dive in and see why this is a no-brainer investment opportunity for Wisconsin.

First things first, let's talk about the economic impact. According to a 2022 Mangum Economics study, a new hyperscale data center in Wisconsin could generate a whopping $270 million in new economic output during construction and $87 million annually once operational. That's not all, folks! The indirect economic activity could lead to $1.6 million in tax revenue collected by the state and $1.4 million by local governments each year. BOOM! That's a massive win for Wisconsin's economy.

But wait, there's more! The construction of this data center will create 1,200 construction jobs and contribute $500 million to the local economy during construction. Once built, each site will generate 100 direct employees, support for 300 additional jobs in security and maintenance, and almost $200 million dollars in local economic activity once operation begins. This is a job creation machine, folks!

Now, let's talk about the broader tech ecosystem. The presence of Meta's data center in Wisconsin could attract other tech-related industries to the region. Data centers share the pool for high-tech labor with industries such as architecture, engineering, computer system design, software, telecommunications, scientific research & development, and technical consulting. The existence of a vibrant data center market helps to attract talent that supports all of these vital industries. This is a tech hub in the making, folks!

And let's not forget about broadband connectivity. Enterprise data centers connect to high-capacity networks by building network infrastructure that can be used by schools, colleges, health institutions, and more. For instance, in North Carolina and New Mexico, Meta brought high-speed internet to five counties in a new internet fiber route. This improved connectivity could benefit local businesses by enhancing their ability to operate and compete in the digital economy. This is a connectivity revolution, folks!

But here's the kicker: Wisconsin needs a sales tax exemption to attract hyperscale data centers. For nearly a decade, no enterprise data center has located in states that impose sales tax burdens on data center equipment—Wisconsin is one of them. Wisconsin currently has a limited sales tax refund program for data center equipment, but this program has not been competitive with the 30+ states that simply exempt data center equipment from sales and use taxes. Wisconsin should consider sales and use tax exemption legislation, like AB 302 and SB 308, to compete for enterprise data centers. This is a call to action, folks!

So, what's the bottom line? The construction and operation of Meta's $1 billion data center project in Wisconsin could bring significant economic benefits to the state, including job creation, increased tax revenue, and local economic activity. These benefits are comparable to the economic impacts of similar data center projects in other states. This is a no-brainer investment opportunity for Wisconsin, folks!

So, are you ready to ride the tech wave? Wisconsin is about to become the next big thing in the tech world, and you don't want to miss out on this opportunity. This is a game-changer, folks!