SOMERS, Wis. — A University of Wisconsin-Parkside student organization will host a public forum next month examining the growing development of artificial intelligence data centers in Wisconsin and the economic, environmental and utility issues surrounding them.
The “AI Data Centers Forum: Jobs, Water, Energy & Community Accountability” is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Cinema inside the UW-Parkside Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.
The forum is being organized by the Parkside Debate and Civic Leadership Association, whose founder and president, Diane Leto Gallardo, announced the event Friday.
“I’m excited to share that the Parkside Debate and Civic Leadership Association will be hosting a public forum on AI data center development in Wisconsin on October 7 at UW-Parkside,” Gallardo wrote.
Gallardo said the organization assembled a panel intended to bring together representatives from government, journalism, policy research, the data-center industry, environmental advocacy and utility-consumer organizations.
The forum comes as large-scale data-center development has become an increasingly prominent issue in southeastern Wisconsin, including in Kenosha County, where questions surrounding electricity demand, infrastructure, water consumption, tax benefits and long-term costs have become part of the public discussion.
Eight Panelists Announced
According to the event announcement, the panel will include State Rep. Ben DeSmidt; Rob Merchant of the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition; Tom Kertscher of Wisconsin Watch; Cheryl Nenn of Milwaukee Riverkeeper; Jason Stein of the Wisconsin Policy Forum; Tom Content of the Citizens Utility Board; Michael Greif of Environment Advocates; and Dave Giordano of Root Pike Initiative.
Ross Astoria, JD, PhD, and Talon Hannaman are listed as co-moderators.
Organizers say the discussion will cover economic growth and jobs, electricity demand and utility costs, water use and environmental impacts, government oversight and public accountability, and the costs and benefits of data centers to surrounding communities.
There will also be time for questions from members of the audience and an open discussion.
“I’m really looking forward to hosting this conversation and bringing a range of perspectives together on an issue that is becoming increasingly important across Wisconsin,” Gallardo wrote.
Kenosha Data-Center Debate
The event comes less than a month after the Kenosha Common Council approved plans connected to a major Microsoft data-center development in the city, putting many of the same issues identified by the Parkside forum — particularly power demand, water use, jobs and community costs — into the local spotlight.
The Oct. 7 forum could give Kenosha-area residents an opportunity to hear from organizations representing several sides of the broader data-center debate and question panelists directly.
UW-Parkside is located at 900 Wood Road in Somers. The university’s public website confirms its Kenosha County campus address, although the AI forum did not yet appear on the university’s main online event calendar when checked Saturday.
The forum begins at 5 p.m. and is scheduled to conclude at 7 p.m. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
.
4 Responses
What plans?
The event comes less than a month after the Kenosha Common Council approved plans connected to a major Microsoft data-center development in the city
“KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala (R), a lifelong Republican with deep roots in the Kenosha County GOP, went to Democratic State Rep. Ben DeSmidt’s (D) annual Pig Roast at Union Park Tavern on Saturday to support Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley (D) in his campaign to become Wisconsin’s next governor.” (Kenosha County Eye)
Missing Bogdala
Rep. Ben DeSmidt(D) “panelist”
“DeSmidt (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 65. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026.”
“His career experience includes working as the co-owner of Union Park Tavern and as an associate professor at Carthage College.”
Sponsor:
“WI SB1085 – Longevity bonuses for teachers in school districts. (FE)
Under this bill, the Department of Public Instruction must pay a $7,000 bonus to any teacher who has been licensed by DPI and employed by a school board continuously for five school years.”
There is more of course…..https://ballotpedia.org/Ben_DeSmidt