The QTS Data Center Project is a digital infrastructure development planned in Dane County, Wisconsin. QTS has announced plans for the development of the data center alongside a proposed US$50 million community commitment, which includes direct investments in the communities of DeForest and Vienna, located less than 20 miles north of Madison. The company has indicated that the project will involve local investment and workforce-related activities. According to company statements, the project is expected to support employment opportunities and incorporate renewable energy use as part of its operations. QTS has stated that it plans to submit a zoning application to the DeForest Village Board in November as part of the project approval process. The move has been hailed as a big win for Wisconsin in the battle to attract data center invesments across states in the USA.

If approved, the project would be a landmark investment for Wisconsin. Furthermore, it will create more than 5,000 construction jobs and hundreds of full-time positions with support from local building trade unions. Officials said the company will work with local stakeholders in Vienna, DeForest and Dane County and establish $50 million in community commitments. The commitments will support education, workforce development and housing initiatives across the county. The company will also fund scholarships and workforce partnerships with Madison Area Technical College. It will also develop research partnerships with the University of Wisconsin. Wisconsin is hosting data centers such as Meta’s data center project in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

The QTS data center project is one of many springing up across the US alongside others such as the Prologis data center campus in Illinois. Industrial real estate giant Prologis is planning a massive 13-building data center campus in Shelbyville, Illinois. The client company is filing to develop the company in the city located in central Illinois. Lorm LLC and Alisha Clay are seeking to annex more than a dozen land parcels totaling 429 acres off of East State Road 44 east of the SR 44 and I-74 interchange.

Project Factsheet

Significance:
• A landmark $12 billion data center development planned by QTS Data Centers in DeForest, Wisconsin.
• Also includes a $50 million community commitment to support education, housing, and workforce development in Dane County.
• Expected to create over 5,000 construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions.
• Aims to enhance renewable energy use and strengthen Wisconsin’s growing digital infrastructure hub.

Infrastructure:
• To be located in DeForest and Vienna, about 20 miles north of Madison.
• Will also integrate advanced renewable energy solutions through a proposed partnership with Alliant Energy.
• Plans include the use of renewable energy credits from approximately 750 MW of clean energy sources.

Developer/Consortium:
• Developed by QTS Data Centers, co-led by Tag Greason and David Robey.
• Collaboration with Alliant Energy, Madison Area Technical College, and the University of Wisconsin for workforce and research programs.
• Supported by local building trade unions and community stakeholders in Dane County.

Funding/Timeline:
• Total investment: $12 billion.
• Community investments: $50 million directed toward education, workforce partnerships, and affordable housing.
• Zoning application: To be submitted to the DeForest Village Board in November 2025.
• Construction expected to commence following approval, positioning Wisconsin as a major national data center hub.

The Scope of Implementation on QTS Data Center Project in Wisconsin

The QTS data center project is one that is expected to shape Wisconsin as the region becomes a major data center hub. Officials noted there was a proposed agreement between QTS and Alliant Energy to enable renewable resources. The proposed agreement also covered lowering the cost for Alliant Energy‘s planned renewable facilities. The agreement will be facilitated by the sale of renewable energy credits from around 750 megawatts of renewable energy sources. “For more than two decades, we’ve built lasting partnerships with the communities where we live, work and raise our families,” said Tag Greason and David Robey, co-CEOs of QTS, in a joint statement.

“Together, we’ll continue to listen, support and grow with the people of Wisconsin as trusted neighbors in a shared future. As digital infrastructure becomes essential to every industry, and a pillar of our national security, we are excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Dane County community.” Community members have shown their excitement, noting the proposed data center is a significant and long-term investment that will contribute to DeForest’s growth. They are also hopeful that the project will result in years of work that will allow workers to earn sizable wages, health and retirement benefits.