Vantage Data Centers Breaks Ground on $15 Billion AI Campus in Wisconsin
December 18, 2025
In a significant move for the U.S. data center industry, Vantage Data Centers has commenced construction on a massive $15 billion campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The project underscores the intense infrastructure build-out required to support the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, which demands unprecedented levels of computing power and energy.
Denver-based Vantage officially broke ground on Wednesday on the 672-acre campus, located near Interstate 43 approximately 27 miles north of Milwaukee. The development is a key component of the expansive $500 billion “Stargate” initiative led by OpenAI and Oracle to establish a national network of AI-optimized data centers. Upon its scheduled completion in 2028, the Port Washington campus will comprise four buildings totaling 2.5 million square feet and is designed to deliver 902 megawatts of critical IT capacity.
The scale of the project promises substantial economic impact for the region. According to the economic development nonprofit Milwaukee 7, it is expected to generate over 4,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent operational positions, in addition to thousands of indirect jobs. In October, Vantage solidified a partnership with the Wisconsin Building Trades Council to utilize union labor for the construction, branded as the Lighthouse campus.
Local officials hailed the project as transformative. Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke stated, “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 country.” Gale Klappa, co-chair of Milwaukee 7, added that the city is now “poised for new life, for economic growth and a new era of prosperity.”
However, the development has not been without controversy. The project, along with other major data centers in Wisconsin, has faced scrutiny from environmental groups and some residents concerned about electricity consumption, water usage, and proximity to Lake Michigan. A group of Port Washington residents has filed paperwork to recall Mayor Neitzke, alleging a lack of public transparency regarding the project’s environmental and energy price impacts. The mayor has noted that Vantage has secured all necessary permits and established a tax increment financing district with the city.
In response to sustainability concerns, Vantage officials emphasized design features aimed at minimizing environmental impact. These include a closed-loop liquid cooling system to reduce water consumption, commitments to develop renewable energy sources to match campus demand, and plans to preserve 172 acres for biodiversity and natural sound mitigation. The project’s progression highlights the ongoing tension between rapid technological infrastructure expansion and community and environmental stewardship in the AI era.
Source: dailyreporter
Vantage Data Centers Breaks Ground on $15 Billion AI Campus in Wisconsin
