Microsoft has abandoned its plan to rezone 244 acres in a rural Wisconsin community after local backlash about the project. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the community expressed concerns about the project’s secrecy, lack of details, and the fast-paced approval process. Data centers have prompted concerns across the country for their extensive water and energy usage. Microsoft has withdrawn its proposal for a data center in a Milwaukee suburbs after community pushback. After opposition from area residents and elected officials the 244 acre Caledonia project will not proceed.https://t.co/M6qVD5iati — More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) October 8, 2025 More from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Microsoft announced the change on Oct. 8. That came weeks after Microsoft announced it was the company behind the project — surprising opponents. The company made purchase offers on the site, near a We Energies power plant in neighboring Oak Creek, and those were contingent on the land being rezoned. The Plan Commission passed the rezone on Sept. 29. The Village Board was to review the proposal on Oct. 14. It’s unclear if the item will be pulled off the agenda given Microsoft’s announcement. “We’re just demanding a higher level of discipline because it’s a bigger project than we’ve ever come close to,” said Caledonia resident Prescott Balch. “And we’re treating it like a little zoning change for a retail store.” It’s possible Microsoft will still build a Caledonia data center. The company and Racine County officials said they’re working together to find a new location in the village or somewhere else in the county. Microsoft has said it wants to work with local officials to reduce the impact of rising energy costs, and to “to build a project that reflects the values and priorities important here — including those related to the character of the community and the environment.” About 40 people spoke out against the project during a public comment period at a Village of Caledonia Plan commission meeting, Wisconsin Public Radio noted. “Based on the community feedback we heard, we have chosen not to move forward with this site,” Microsoft said in a statement. “We remain committed to investing in Southeast Wisconsin and look forward to working with the Village of Caledonia and Racine County leaders to identify a site that aligns with community priorities and our long-term development goals,” it added. WISN 12 News shared community feedback: Microsoft will not move forward with plans to build a data center in Caledonia, the company said, citing community feedback. Read more: https://t.co/Xc1ytmtWHA pic.twitter.com/CHGfATC28k — WISN 12 NEWS (@WISN12News) October 9, 2025 Wisconsin Public Radio shared further info: Microsoft had been looking to build a data center campus on 244 acres in Caledonia that needed to be rezoned from an agriculture district to a light manufacturing and office district. The village plan commission approved the rezoning late last month and the Village Board was expected to take the issue up at its Oct. 14 meeting. Racine County officials say they have been in contact with Microsoft and will work with the company to identify an alternative site in the county, possibly even in Caledonia, that could meet its needs. County Executive Ralph Malicki said Microsoft did not seek local development incentives for its initial plan in Caledonia. He also said he isn’t sure how the search for a new site would affect the company’s development timeline. “I hope we can move forward at the speed that is necessary for them to be in the area,” he said. But he also said he was confused about the pushback the Caledonia proposal received from the community. “It’s something that obviously we haven’t seen, especially with the Mount Pleasant location,” he said. “Personally, I’m a little perplexed by it. … So far, our experiences with Microsoft have been nothing but positive.” Caledonia Village Trustee Fran Martin said she felt the village board was being asked to approve the zoning for the project without enough details about Microsoft’s plans.