Mayor Matt Zacher urges residents to bring specific data on data-center concerns; says city can set strict standards

Mayor Matt Zacher told Sunup Wisconsin listeners that while data centers can offer economic benefits, his acceptance of any proposal would be conditional on protecting neighborhood health and quality of life. "If we can hold them to the fire and we can build a futuristic data center ... that can be safe for the community," Zacher said, adding that the city must secure guarantees about noise and generator emissions.

Zacher described a broad outreach effort and repeated his request that opponents bring specific data and documented concerns. "I've asked eight different people ... Eight different people have told me because other they saw their neighbor had a sign or there was no actual answer given," he said, urging residents to do homework and provide concrete evidence rather than circulating secondhand claims. He said the city will try to use permitting and contract terms to require quieter, cleaner designs if a center is proposed.

The mayor also emphasized that some community members have attacked local officials personally during public debate. He described the "Chats with the Mayor" sessions as a way to separate policy positions from personal attacks and to give residents direct access to information. Zacher said those sessions occur weekly at the library and other community venues to allow broad participation.

The interview did not record a formal council vote or ordinance on data-center siting; Zacher framed the remarks as the administration's policy stance and outreach plan rather than a final decision.