QTS has officially abandoned its plans for a large-scale data center development near Madison, Wisconsin, following resistance from local officials and community members. The proposed project, which was set to be located in the Village of DeForest, faced a significant roadblock when village authorities signaled their intent to reject a key annexation request tied to the plan.
According to a recent announcement from the Village of DeForest, staff members determined that the data center proposal was "not feasible" after individual discussions with board trustees. As a result, the village staff recommended to the Village President that the annexation petition be denied during the upcoming February 3 Village Board meeting.
"After individual discussions with the Village Board trustees, staff have determined that QTS’ data center proposal is not feasible in DeForest", the Village of DeForest announced. The statement added that the staff's recommendation would lead to the rejection of the annexation request.
QTS had initially aimed to build a sprawling data center campus comprising up to five buildings across approximately 650 acres in the area. The company first revealed its interest in this development in October 2025, but the project quickly became a point of contention within the local community.
In response to the setback, QTS expressed regret over the decision to withdraw its proposal. "It has become clear that now is not the right time for our proposed project to move forward in DeForest", the company told local press. The statement continued, "QTS is committed to paying its fair share of power costs, so that our data centers won’t increase costs for communities. We will build on our strong track record of partnership within Wisconsin and beyond, ensuring that the communities where we operate share fully in the benefits that our data centers deliver."
While QTS did not provide specific details on whether it would pursue alternative locations within Wisconsin or elsewhere, the company's statement hinted at its ongoing commitment to fostering partnerships in the areas where it operates.
The DeForest community's opposition to the project was amplified online through a Facebook group titled "No Data Center in DeForest", which has more than 4,100 members as of now. This digital gathering of concerned residents reflected the broader unease about the project's potential impact on the local area.
Founded in 2003 and owned by Blackstone since 2021, QTS operates and develops dozens of data centers across the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Spain. Despite its expansive operations, the company's proposal for a new data center campus in DeForest faced insurmountable challenges in gaining local support.
With the project now shelved, QTS and the Village of DeForest part ways, leaving the future of the site in question. The company has not indicated whether it plans to revisit the proposal or pursue other opportunities in the region.
