Microsoft ends Caledonia data center plan after resident pushback

"Based on the community feedback we heard, we have chosen not to move forward with this site; 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," a Microsoft spokesperson told CBS 58.

Residents raised concerns during multiple public sessions regarding the project, noting their concerns about light, noise and traffic, along with the question of the impact of Microsoft's long-term land use.

"It was done way too fast with way too little research and the risks that that poses, just sort of flinging it against the wall and seeing what sticks, caused an awful lot of people in this village to really be concerned about what was going on," Caledonia resident Prescott Balch said.

Balch says he and his neighbors are not opposed to a data center but wanted it to be in a different location in the village.

"We’ve never said that that was a bad idea, we’ve shied away from the argument of don’t build a data center anywhere because it’s not what we believe," Balch said. "Some proposals are good some proposals are bad and we’ll look at the next one and make the same decision and be objective about it.”

The concept covered 244 acres near Highway 32 and Seven Mile Road, and some urged officials to steer industrial projects to existing zones.

Stay with CBS 58 for continued coverage.